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@heyjoe415

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

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Replies to "Hi Chris, Interesting stuff on your shoulder adventures. I've been on the Mayo forum for my..."

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