Would like others experience on Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Thank you @twinkie 23. I haven't had any rotator cuff surgery, although there is evidence that I don't have a rotator cuff.

I'm leaning towards having the surgery. I think I could manage post care okay, but my concern is my husband's care while I'm away. I would like to keep him at home with as little disruption as possible. So I need to find someone to stay with him whome he will tolerate.

It's too bad you had to go through two surgeries. I am glad you are on the mend now.
Thanks for the info about microwave meals. I make everything from scratch, but understand that wouldn't be possible for a while after surgery. Sometimes we have to be flexible!
I appreciate your encouragement and support very much.

Thank you!

Hi Chris,

Interesting stuff on your shoulder adventures. I've been on the Mayo forum for my two TKRs, but a TSR or RSR are down the road. Osteoarthritis doesn't have a favorite joint, it loves them all equally!

Do you know what conditions allow for a regular TSR versus an RSR? I think I read somewhere that an RSR is required when there is damage to the rotator cuff. And then part two - what was your recovery like? Especially, how long before you started PT and how long before you could exercise in a gym. And how about sleep after surgery? OK that's a lotta questions. I'll stop here.

Thanks Chris! Joe

Good evening @heyjoe415, you are correct. There are evidently two known conditions that respond best to a RSR. One is irreparable damage to the rotator cuff. My RSR was undertaken specifically for that situation. The other one is chronic pain from shoulder arthritis. The surgery process was developed in France and imported to the US shortly before my RSR 13 years ago. By alternating and replacing the shoulder ball and socket components of the shoulder joint you end up using your shoulder muscles to stabilize the shoulder joint instead of the rotator cuff.

Now let me reflect on the post-surgery experience. At the time I had a personal trainer. We used her in-home "gym" because the village did not have a gym for adults....just the one for the elementary school. Because the RSR surgery was relatively new in the US at that time, my surgeon and PT worked out a post-surgery program to facilitate movement and reduce pain. In addition, I continued to work out in my personal trainer's home gym.

My recovery was inconvenient (the immobilizer) and I had a rough time finding a decent sleeping position, especially when my little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wanted to sneak in under the covers in just the wrong place. Driving my car was delayed until I exited the immobilizer. And because the surgery was on my dominant side, I had to learn how to do many tasks including handwriting with my non-dominant shoulder. So you get a chance to become bio-dexterous.

Hope these answers help. I think that already improvements are being made, especially with the ability to have the shoulder replacement pieces sized to fit you better. Mine is a bit bulky or at least it feels that way. And it crackles when you tighten it or move it back and forth. No pain though.....never.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

Replacement on left shoulder was much easier for me. (still painful). 4 months after replacement had some repair on rotator cuff on opposite shoulder. It took me a lot longer to get past that surgery. A lot more painful rehab. Rehab on replacement shoulder was at home and went very well.

Thanks Chris, you answered all my questions - much appreciated!

Like my knees and hips, my shoulders are plagued with inherited osteoarthritis. My left shoulder is the worst, but I can still do most arm exercises. My trainer keeps me away from anything that causes pain - and this mostly affects chest presses where my arms extend from my sides. I can still do them, but at a lower weight and with my hand width narrowed on the bar.

I had such a good experience getting my knees replaced, I'm not concerned about the surgery. It's the inconvenience of the recovery process, as you note. Doesn't sound terrible though. At some point the pain will not be worth the bother, and I'll do it.

So far I'm getting by on cortisone shots every three to six months and just being careful.

Thanks again for the info!

Joe

Thanks. Not the first time I've heard that recovery from a shoulder replacement is easier/quicker than recovery from rotator cuff repair.

I had surgery for a broken upper arm and was kind of an ordeal. Complications caused me to get a reverse shoulder replacement and comparatively, it was a walk in the park. Hope your results are as good as mine!

I had a reverse shoulder replacement and broken arm. It went relatively well but it was my dominant arm. Took 7 weeks in a sling to heal.

The real key is the PT. You must push yourself to complete all sessions. For me it was a bit painful but because I stuck with it, I have full use of my arm. I can reach straight up which many can't. So glad I pushed as now I reap the benefits.

Thanks for this feedback and I'm glad you pushed when you had to. I've had both knees replaced, and while certainly different from shoulder replacement, the rehab for any joint replacement is incredibly important.

In addition to the work the patient needs to put in, timing is everything. With my knees, I started PT hours after the surgery by taking a walk (with a walker) in the hospital. I aggressively followed the rehab schedule, in the clinic and at home, and had a great recovery. I also worked with a trainer for 6 months before the surgeries to strengthen my knees as much as possible.

So for any joint replacement surgery, success largely depends on the patient's efforts in rehab. Of course the surgeon is important, but patients need the will to push themselves. It's worth it.

Thanks for the info. I have a tear on my rotator cuff that needs to be fixed. I'm confused whether I want a repair, which sounds like less, or a replacement. You seem to think a replacement is better.