Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Posted by rethajones @rethajones, Aug 21 8:54am

I fell Nov 19 and broke my shoulder in 3 places and tore my rotator cuff. I tried to let it heal on its own but it wouldn’t. So I had total reversal shoulder replacement surgery March 14. I have been doing PT twice a week. I still cannot raise my arm/shoulder up very high at all. I was wondering how long it takes to get full range motion where it doesn’t feel stiff or hurt when I move my arm/shoulder? Don’t know if age makes a difference but I’m 72.
Thanks
Retha

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Retha,
Sorry about your fall,same story here! I fell in Sept 23, fractured 3 places and torn cuff. Had total reverse replacement 3 weeks later. Did pt for 4 months, exercises at home for 3 months then on to new pt for 2 months while still exercising at home. I still cannot touch the back of my head mid point. Surgeon said deltoid did not “come back”. Had an emg 2 weeks ago and will find the results today. Surgeon said outcome for this surgery after fractures ,is not as good as replacement for arthritis. I am beyond disappointed and at 77, can’t believe this is the most movement I will be getting. I will let you know how the emg turns out and if there is more to be done.

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I HAD TRSR IN FEB 2017 AT RUSH, NO FRACTURES JUST TOTALLY WORE IT OUT AND THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. I WAS RELEASED IN AUG AND I HAVE ALMOST COMPLEATE ROM, THERE WERE SEVERE RESTRICTIONS, 5LBS ABOVE THE HEAD SPORADICALLY, NOT REPEATEDLY, 20LBS FROM THE FLOOR TO CHEST WITH BOTH ARMS SPORADICALLY, NOT REPEATEDLY. i CONTINUE TO EXCERCISE/THERAPY ALMOST EVERY DAY TO KEEP ROM AND STRENGTH. VERY HAPPY, WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME DISCOMFORT BUT I'M HAPPY AND VERY LITTLE PAIN.

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@nonnahelen

Retha,
Sorry about your fall,same story here! I fell in Sept 23, fractured 3 places and torn cuff. Had total reverse replacement 3 weeks later. Did pt for 4 months, exercises at home for 3 months then on to new pt for 2 months while still exercising at home. I still cannot touch the back of my head mid point. Surgeon said deltoid did not “come back”. Had an emg 2 weeks ago and will find the results today. Surgeon said outcome for this surgery after fractures ,is not as good as replacement for arthritis. I am beyond disappointed and at 77, can’t believe this is the most movement I will be getting. I will let you know how the emg turns out and if there is more to be done.

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I am sorry you are going through this. Hopefully the EMG will show what’s going on with you! Please let me know what your results are! I have never heard of an EMG. That’s something I can talk to my doctor about. I do know I have a lot of scar tissue. I am going for a massage tomorrow which is supposed to help with scar tissue.
God Bless and praying things get better for you!!
Retha

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@wmh9680

I HAD TRSR IN FEB 2017 AT RUSH, NO FRACTURES JUST TOTALLY WORE IT OUT AND THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. I WAS RELEASED IN AUG AND I HAVE ALMOST COMPLEATE ROM, THERE WERE SEVERE RESTRICTIONS, 5LBS ABOVE THE HEAD SPORADICALLY, NOT REPEATEDLY, 20LBS FROM THE FLOOR TO CHEST WITH BOTH ARMS SPORADICALLY, NOT REPEATEDLY. i CONTINUE TO EXCERCISE/THERAPY ALMOST EVERY DAY TO KEEP ROM AND STRENGTH. VERY HAPPY, WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME DISCOMFORT BUT I'M HAPPY AND VERY LITTLE PAIN.

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I’m so glad you are doing well and having very little pain.
Hopefully I can get to that place where I’m happy with my outcome and not feeling so stiff all the time.
I have a lot of scar tissue and I heard that massages can help with that. So I’m getting a massage tomorrow and hopefully that helps.
God Bless,
Retha

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@rethajones

I am sorry you are going through this. Hopefully the EMG will show what’s going on with you! Please let me know what your results are! I have never heard of an EMG. That’s something I can talk to my doctor about. I do know I have a lot of scar tissue. I am going for a massage tomorrow which is supposed to help with scar tissue.
God Bless and praying things get better for you!!
Retha

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The emg showed no nerve damage ,which is good I guess,just a weak deltoid,which we knew already. I thought I had scar tissue also but the surgeon said no,because of the way he was able to move my arm. So, I am not doing any more pt, but he said I could do weights as I am able,to try and strengthen that deltoid. Good luck with your massage,hope it helps you!
Helen

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I am sorry you are having problems with range of motion. I fell in February and broke my arm and shoulder. In June I had a reverse shoulder replacement. I am 77 and did home PT twice weekly and ran through the exercises everyday the therapist did not come. I have continued and have been told it can take 8 months for full healing. I have almost full ROM at 2 and a half months post op. Don’t give up keep working each day and hopefully it will get better for you.

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I’m glad you are doing so well! That gives me hope that maybe my shoulder will get better as long as I continue PT. I am also trying massages. I heard that can also help.
Thanks and God Bless,
Retha

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@nonnahelen

The emg showed no nerve damage ,which is good I guess,just a weak deltoid,which we knew already. I thought I had scar tissue also but the surgeon said no,because of the way he was able to move my arm. So, I am not doing any more pt, but he said I could do weights as I am able,to try and strengthen that deltoid. Good luck with your massage,hope it helps you!
Helen

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Glad your doctor was able to give you a solution to try. Hopefully the weights will help strengthen your deltoid!
Thanks and God Bless
Retha

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@rethajones

Glad your doctor was able to give you a solution to try. Hopefully the weights will help strengthen your deltoid!
Thanks and God Bless
Retha

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Retha,
Did you start massages and are you getting them from pt or a massage business? I hope they help you . Thank you for your kind words.
Helen

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