Any reverse shoulder surgeries out there?

I have had both shoulders with total reverse shoulders in the past year. One was after a regular rotator cuff repair after a fall off a e-bike. That repair only lasted about a year and a half. I had that on Sept 27,2023. It went great. 6 weeks in a sling, with some physical therapy starting a few weeks after surgery.
Then the other one done in January of 2024 with 6 weeks in a sling with physical therapy. I am 74 years old. Both shoulders are fine-I can lift and move anything as long as not really heavy. Putting items on shelves above my head is OK but I have to use more effort with both arms.
They do a nerve block in surgery so it didn’t hurt when I got home for the first two days. I used hydrocodone for about 3-5 days after that, then didn’t need it.

What it takes from you is patience. You already have that from your first surgery and wearing a sling.
I did go two hours away to find a surgeon that does shoulders mostly. My local orthopedic surgeon said he does about 20 shoulders a year. The one I found does over 200 a year. I also did a consult at the Mayo Clinic and that surgeon said he did more than anyone in the world. But that was over 3 hours away.
Both times required an overnight in the hospital.
I wish you the best in getting a good surgeon and getting your function back.

I had similar experience to both shoulders. Not a fun experience but I am better. Find a surgeon who does lots not any orthopedic surgeon. It really makes a difference.

Thanks, yes I chose a surgeon who specialize in reverse. He says he did his fellowship when this procedure came out and was part of the team that helped to get FDA approval.

Good. Remember to take your pain medication regularly before pain starts. This will help especially the first week or so.
Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Had a reverse done in 2017 atRush in Chicago, very happy with it

I had an anatomical shoulder replacement last fall. Never got past a certain point in pt - too much pain. Doctor said he couldn’t help me any further. Referred me to another surgeon who told me straightaway that it should have been a reverse replacement (I had torn rotator cuff). After the revision surgery in early March of this year, it is SO much better.

Make sure you follow pt to a tee. I’ve turned my home office into a mini gym. Be very diligent. Best of luck to you - keep at it.

I had reverse shoulder replacement in 2001. I was on pain meds for three days but had to sleep in recliner for
two weeks. Due to financial issues I could not afford PT so used exercises provided on Youtube. Regardless of your source of PT treatment do not ignore it. You will heal faster and minimize complications.

I had a total should er arthroplasty in 2015 at a Veterans Hospital and the surgeon told me that she had done 500 shoulder surgeries and that was all she did, that was her speciality. I asked her if she would be doing the surgery and she said yes so I said, 'sign me up."
I underwent the surgery and noticed a "thunking" sound when I moved the shoulder a certain way and told the PA about it, she referred me to the surgeon who said it was "normal." The PA said, not to tell anyone but it wasn't normal. I read the surgical narrative and a resident did the surgery, not the surgeon who said she would do the surgery.
As time passed, I had some minor pain which progressed somewhat over the months and I went to see an Orthopedist and he said that the surgery failed. Now it is 2024 and the pain has worsened and I am going to have a reverse shoulder replacement soon.
I used to work at the same VA Hospital and would defend the hospital when a patient made a derogatory remark but now I understand where those patients were coming from. I have lost faith in the VA health system and prefer to have my medical care from the "outside" now.

I’m sorry for your failure. I spent a lot of Sundays in the waiting area of the VA as a kid. Back then kids weren’t allowed up in the rooms. My dad had terminal cancer and died in Albany NY Veterans Hospital. Now as an adult I often question his care. In Calif VA , He was told his pain was all in his head and they gave him pain meds which became addicting. They gave him shock therapy, all the while he had cancer traveling through his body. When we moved to NY there they opened him up and found colon cancer. On his knees praying to God in the lobby of the Hospital, He stopped taking all pain meds that day. He had one year of remission and then it spread to the liver and eventually the lung. 4 years later he died in that hospital. Had he a better doctor in Calif, his cancer might have been found and saved him. Drugs seemed to be their only treatment. So, sorry for the vent. Please be an advocate for your care. Don’t let them give you second rate care. You are a US Veteran and you deserve all the best treatment you can get. Thank you for your service to our great country 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank you! You are a brave soul to do both so close together.