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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I also fell and broke my shoulder in 3 places (April 6th) and had total reverse replacement. I can almost do everything now and I am 81 years old. I attended PT for six weeks and worked at home(Pulley 3Xs a day) then I went back to the gym and used the bans to work my arms and eventually used the machines at the gym and rode the exercise bike for at least a half hour. I believe what they said the door pulleys were the most important exercise.It so nice to hear from others who have gone through this surgery. Gail

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@columbo

I also fell and broke my shoulder in 3 places (April 6th) and had total reverse replacement. I can almost do everything now and I am 81 years old. I attended PT for six weeks and worked at home(Pulley 3Xs a day) then I went back to the gym and used the bans to work my arms and eventually used the machines at the gym and rode the exercise bike for at least a half hour. I believe what they said the door pulleys were the most important exercise.It so nice to hear from others who have gone through this surgery. Gail

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Are you in any pain? I had surgery March 14 and been doing PT twice a week. I still can’t move my arm without being in pain also can’t raise it very high.
I also had a tear in my rotator cuff. I go back to the doctor Oct 14 and he is going to do another X-ray. I love hearing stories like yours. It gives me hope!!
God bless,
Retha

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Hi Retha, There is a little pain when I exercise and stretch. the surgery also went through my rotator cuf.
The PT told me I would have some bad days up until a year,I can live with that I am just glad I do not have the extreme pain, I also had arthritis in that arm before the surgery and that is gone. It's much easier put my cloths on now. Gail

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@rethajones

PT does move my arm in all directions. However they can not move it all the way up when I’m laying down. That does hurt a lot. Some of the ways they move it doesn’t hurt but then other ways it hurts bad. I’m relaxing.
Thanks
Retha

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Do you have a problem with external rotation. I have what is called blower’s horn and it has limited me.

The doctor says it should go away with my physical therapy in a few months. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this condition (blower’s horn).

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@myracorbo

Do you have a problem with external rotation. I have what is called blower’s horn and it has limited me.

The doctor says it should go away with my physical therapy in a few months. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this condition (blower’s horn).

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I have never heard of that. I’m going to google that! I have been doing PT a lot. It has helped but I’m still just having a lot of problems with my shoulder.
God Bless,
Retha

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I fell also breaking my arm and shoulder socket and damaging the rotator cuff. I also have severe osteo arthritis in all my joints. I had a reverse shoulder replacement June 7th. I am 78. After six weeks of home PT I continued on my own and have full range of motion and no pain now. My surgeon told me you can make progress with the shoulder from PT for a year! Best wishes for a full pain free shoulder.

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@myracorbo

Do you have a problem with external rotation. I have what is called blower’s horn and it has limited me.

The doctor says it should go away with my physical therapy in a few months. I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this condition (blower’s horn).

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I had to google that because no one ever mentioned that. However,that seems to be my problem,too. My surgery was a year ago and I even had nerve testing done to make sure that wasn’t the cause. It seems my deltoid is very weak and preventing me from raising my arm any higher. I am still exercising at home,but not seeing much improvement.

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@queenie2030

I fell also breaking my arm and shoulder socket and damaging the rotator cuff. I also have severe osteo arthritis in all my joints. I had a reverse shoulder replacement June 7th. I am 78. After six weeks of home PT I continued on my own and have full range of motion and no pain now. My surgeon told me you can make progress with the shoulder from PT for a year! Best wishes for a full pain free shoulder.

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That is great that you are pain free and have full range of motion!! I can’t wait till I am pain free with full range of motion. I still can’t fix the back of my hair or completely reach my underarm of the opposite shoulder/arm. I just feel like something is not right. I go to my doctor Oct 14 and he’s going to do another X-ray l. There’s no way I can do complete PT at home. Which I could because it gets expensive. The therapist moves my arm every which way. Ways that I cannot do at home.
God Bless,
Retha

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That’s so discouraging. I’m an avid tennis player, not very good mind you and I don’t feel I can mentally overcome this situation.

I’m going to get a second opinion and see if a tendon transfer will help my external rotation.

Are you able to lift your arm high enough to wash your hair?

I’m 65, what is your age?

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@queenie2030

I fell also breaking my arm and shoulder socket and damaging the rotator cuff. I also have severe osteo arthritis in all my joints. I had a reverse shoulder replacement June 7th. I am 78. After six weeks of home PT I continued on my own and have full range of motion and no pain now. My surgeon told me you can make progress with the shoulder from PT for a year! Best wishes for a full pain free shoulder.

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I wish that were the case for me. Unfortunately I’ve read that those that start out with this horn blowing effect usually have a poor outcome on rotation.

I’m not giving up until a solution can be found. I’ve heard a tendon transfer can help.

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