Hi Ranch, and sorry to hear about your shoulder problems. My shoulder joints are bone on bone, but I'm active and that seems to keep pain at a minimum. I'm also 70 y/o.

A reverse shoulder replacement is required when there has been damage to the rotator cuff, the group of muscles/tendons that surround the shoulder joint. A reverse replacement puts the ball that is on top of the upper arm bone and places that ball at the end of the clavicle. From what I've heard, the sensation is a little strange and range of motion is decreased, but pain should go away.

So should you have the surgery at 85? Well that's a personal decision. If you are in otherwise good health and experiencing a lot of pain, probably good to have it done. I hate yo cop out but the answer is that it's really up to you and your Dr.

All the best to you! Joe

I am 74. I had reverse shoulder replacements on both shoulders this year. One was in September 2023 and the other was in January of 2024. And fell on some construction and broke my wrist. Doc cleared me to drive after 2 weeks when I was not on any pain meds. I had an ice machine from the hospital and iced it off and on for several weeks. Wore a sling for 6 weeks, but could take it off for getting dressed or showering.They gave me a few simple movements to do at home to do several times a day to keep everything moving. I started therapy after 3-4 weeks, it was all passive or very light assisted movements until the sling was off. After that was only a few more weeks. It was not 6-8 months. They use the deltoid muscle to power your shoulder instead of the tendons.
I needed some help with lifting and carrying things, and cutting up my food for the first week. We bought a remote controlled recliner so I could put up the foot test and lean back on my own.
They do a nerve block of that area so it didn’t even hurt for the first 2 days. I only took pain meds for 3-4 days.
I hope I didn’t give you too much information. I had to do it because I couldn’t even hold a coffee cup or vacuum or carry my purse because of pain and weakness.
If you are cleared for surgery, the success rate is 99%. I have full function and no pain now. Can’t lift anything more that 25 pounds above my head. Well, I don’t do that anyhow. Good luck in your decision and outcomes.

Good afternoon @ranch. I feel like a friend already. First, I am 82. Second, I have had 4 shoulder surgeries----3 on my right shoulder and one on my left shoulder.

One night in the mountain town of Idyllwild, CA, I was invited to a town meeting at the American Legion. Upon arriving, I was surprisingly chosen as the community's annual honored businessperson. My Art Gallery was evidently doing well and attracting more visitors to stay in hospitality edifices and enjoy eating in locally owned restaurants.

I was thrilled until I turned to wave goodbye to my "special" friends. Unfortunately, a snow plow had knocked down the parking platform fence. When I turned around to wave goodbye to everyone, I took one too many steps backward and fell tumbling down the mountain.

My right shoulder lost its stability and tumbled as it tried to find a stopping place.
Unfortunately, that shoulder was hung on the light in the ambulance ceiling. My arm bounced around for about an hour until we arrived at the hospital of the small town at the bottom of the mountain. I remember that the shoulder was held in place while X-rays were taken.

Then, the initial repair work began. Surgery number 1 revealed some scary, torn parts that were impossible to replace. Then, surgery number 2 did not make good friends between the donated cadaver replacement and what was left of my shoulder.

It was the third surgery, a reverse, which prepared me for the most potential and today still serves me well. I don;t think I can throw a long pass.....and yet I can play with our grandchildren and have a good excuse for skipping making dinner or folding laundry!

Good luck @ranch. I am now 82 and thrilled that I said "yes".
Chris