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Would like others experience on Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Oct 12 10:07am | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Hi @hamilton50, thank you for your post. I am 73, as well, with osteoporosis. I've been on alendronate nearly three years. I just thought I had torn rotator cuff, but an Xray showed my shoulder is eroded from arthritis. A shoulder replacement was recommended. Not easily done because I'm caregiver to my husband with Alzheimer's Disease. The PA said I am one tough cookie because my shoulder is "horrible."
She gave me a steroid injection - which hasn't made much difference. My pain is mainly in the tendon and sometimes the bicep, and flares up when I use my arm too much. I can usually get by with two 325 mg of acetaminophen and an occasional ibuprofen daily. I started using a very good infrared heating pad on the shoulder and arm at night and that really helps. Just added a magnesium cream to that which lessens the pain.
To your post, I read an article on NIH which said those on alendronate experience more fractures after shoulder replacement surgery probably because alendronate creates brittle bone.
@linamend, I hope your surgery goes well. Can you keep us updated on your progress?
Take care,
Teri
Replies to "Hi @hamilton50, thank you for your post. I am 73, as well, with osteoporosis. I've been..."
Thanks! That's why I went OFF alendronate! 😅 No thanks! And statically, there has to be 8 people taking it before it helps 1. Forget the medical term for the stars.
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Hi Teri:
Some advice based on my experience:
!. Have the surgery. The pain will eventually get unbearable.
2. If you have no heart/kidney problems, ask your doc to put you on Celebrex 200mg. a day to start, up to 400 mg. if needed, and trash the ibuprofen/tylenol. I can't imagine life without it the last 25 years! I've also had finger joints replaced and have arthritis in my back, wrists and fingers. Not good for a guitar player!
3. Ask about Reclast rather than Fosamax, Fosamax is really hard on your stomach, especially taken with ibuprofen. Additionally, if it's causing bone loss it's doing exactly the opposite of it's purpose!
4. Ask your doc about Voltaren emugel gel 2.3grm. I use it on my hands/fingers. You can only get it in that strength from Amazon through Germany or Canada.
PS- If your rotator cuff is indeed intact, you might be a candidate for a conventional shoulder replacement rather than a reverse. Ask.
Good luck,
hamilton50