Would like others experience on Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Posted by kcoxict @kcoxict, Jun 5, 2023

I'm scheduled for reverse TSR (left shoulder) in August. Right now I have great range of motion upward with my arm, no pain. Lateral moves hurt though, sleeping on it hurts and the arm is weak. I have a full through rotator cuff tear that is irreparable. Surgeon feels Reverse TSR is way to go but I'm worried if I'm making the right decision. Has anyone else had this done? I'm not quite 70 years old, in good physical health otherwise. Ten years ago I had rotator cuff tear repair and bicep repair on right shoulder for massive tear. Recuperation was the pitts!!
Needless to say I'm not looking forward to this though the surgeon keeps telling me replacement will be easier. Can anyone give me their experience the good, bad, ugly??
Thanks so much!!

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hamilton50 | @hamilton50 | Mar 4 7:11pm

In reply to @linamend "Oy, autocorrect! "Statistically" and "stats"." + (show)

Figured out statistically, of course, but thnx for clarifying "stats". That one was puzzling - even for an English major. 🧐

Teri | @tsc | Mar 5 3:35pm

In reply to @hamilton50 "Teri: I note from your profile that you lived on the Big Island and worked there...." + (show)

Aloha @hamilton50, still on the Big Island, over 20 years. The problem with the neighbor islands is that many major medical procedures must be done on Oahu. It gets a little more difficult with time, but I guess it's the same in rural communities across the mainland. I enjoy the laid back pace of life here, after the dog eat dog environment I found in the big city. Thanks for sharing your experience on Kauai.

hamilton50 | @hamilton50 | Mar 5 5:34pm

In reply to @tsc "Aloha @hamilton50, still on the Big Island, over 20 years. The problem with the neighbor islands..." + (show)

Aloha, mahalo and be well . . .

ppat4pr | @ppat4pr | Mar 7 5:49am

I had one in my 80's. Mine was absolutely necessary. I get the feeling that your surgeon is pushing for this. My operation went very smoothly though it caused 80% nerve damage in my hand! I spent 6 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital & then had out-patient physical therapy. Recovered a lot of nerve issues in my hand thoughI still cannot close it all the way. If you opt for the surgery, make sure your doctor tells you what you should not do after recovery. Recently, I carried groceries that were much too heavy so now I have some pain (surgery was 2 or 3 yrs, ago. Also, I did not keep up with PT at home & think I should have.

lmh1949 | @lmh1949 | Mar 7 9:55pm

I had it done in 2022 at age 73. Surgery went well, with only one day of pain post-surgery, though my surgeon said that was not the norm. I couldn’t get physical therapy because Medicare only allowed PT on one limb at a time, and I had a hip replaced three weeks later. Even so, by using the arm normally, I achieved almost complete range of motion. It looks really crazy on an x-ray!

pworley1955 | @pworley1955 | Apr 25 3:27pm

In reply to @tsc "Thank you fo r your reply @pworley1955. Was your husband's surgery on his dominant hand side?..." + (show)

Surgery was on nondominant hand. Arm was in sling for 6 weeks, then able to drive as long as not taking any pain meds. Able to do small tasks with hand, cooking would be limited. We did a lot of Door Dash.

Teri | @tsc | Apr 25 3:47pm

In reply to @pworley1955 "Surgery was on nondominant hand. Arm was in sling for 6 weeks, then able to drive..." + (show)

Thank you!

dleeowen | @dleeowen | Oct 12 10:07am

I am not a cheerleader. I am going on one year and a half of misery. My arm's nerve was damaged. before the surgery, I think. In any case, I have a tight shoulder sac that "bugs" me every minute I am awake. I can't get treated; the answer is I have a badly damaged or missing axillary nerve--thus lack of full rotation and stiffness. Very small abduction.

I am not a fan, but you may have an entirely different experience. I wish you the best. There is growing evidence that there are more hiccups with this type of surgery than the stats would have you believe. So I will hopefully not break any more bones and be spared another surgery. Yours will come off just fine, I am the statistic.