Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Getting back to your regular activities is always a plus,especially if there is no pain,and you have learned how to make adjustments. I am happy for you! My motion has been limited to such that I have not attempted to drive yet. The surgeon was not sure how I could manage defensively. By now,fear is holding me back,but today, I will practice in a desserted lot with my husband.

I wonder if faithfully doing the pendulum exercises starting immediately after surgery helps to enlarge the area of available future rotational movement in the reverse surgery area. Although normal PT for regaining muscle strength doesn't start for a couple of weeks after surgery for TSR's, the passive swinging back and forth and rotational movements that you should be given to start at home right away following surgery might be the key to whether you can eventually regain full range?
The exercises involve holding on to a bed or chair with your good arm, while leaning forward bending at the waist and letting your surgical arm dangle limply, then moving your torso to make the arm swing back and forth 10 times, then side to side, as well as in a circle in each direction. Your arm dangles limply to move freely like a pendulum or bell clapper without any muscle work at all. I was told to do these twice a day, I probably did them more like 3 or 4 times a day. When I went in for my first PT session, they were impressed with what my reach angle was already. I had a good, very low pain recovery, and I currently have full range of movement in my arm. I can't for sure say that all my early pendulum exercises helped me have success, but no one should be skipping them thinking they are boring.

I really think some are expecting too much out of this surgery. Yes, it's a replacement and there will be some give and takes. I can reach pretty high considering I have no really working tendons to help and limit the movements, the top tendon had been fully ruptured for 12 years, so given I can do all that I could before with certain limits I feel great. NO pain like I used to have, and I waited 12 years before bitting the bullet and having it done. I don't expect to reach behind my back, in fact my doctor told me that was a takeaway before I started the surgery, along with anything weight bering above my head with that shoulder. But I can already do 15lbs comfortably. It's been almost 6 months, have not had PT for the last two months, but I keep up all those exercises that they had me doing. Especially the stretching exercises. I'm 75 and I have plans to continual hiking the PCT this coming summer and my doctor sees no reason why I shouldn't do it, including the back pack.
Please, I'm not complaining or blaming, I just needed to express my feelings. Everyone will do as they feel possible.

How many months of doing PT were you able to do this?

I am 72 years old and had a reverse shoulder replacement last year on my left shoulder which is my dominant hand because I had an accident when I was young and lost most my right hand so I was forced to use my left hand to do everything.
I found the surgery and recovery to be easier than I expected. I went PT as much as I was allowed and did the exercises at home religiously! It took me six weeks to get back to normal use with no pain and as much movement that I would eventually get. As far as movement, I can do everything that I could do before except reaching around to my waist in my back.
My advice to anyone concerned about the surgery, it stopped the terrible pain that I had prior to the surgery and if you really want to get your range of motion back to normal, you have to do your exercises as much as possible.

Greetings @belgagrande, what a wonderful way to begin your visit with Connect. It appears that your positive attitude has helped your recovery from a reverse shoulder replacement.
considerably. I agree with you 100%. My situation was a bit different. I actually fell off a parking ramp on a mountain. It appeared that the outer fence was not replaced because of a major snowstorm.

Anyway......I went rolling down the mountain, broke my elbow, and crushed my shoulder. Because of a rejection by the insurance company, I had to have two initial surgeries. The rotator cuff repair attempt was a loser and the effort at a cadaver replacement was a failure. Finally, I was approved for the reverse shoulder replacement and my outcome has been very similar to yours. I truly believe that we have a lot to do with the level of success to be achieved with surgical repairs. I just tested my range of motion and it still works even though I am now 82 years old.
Thanks for sharing your experience. May you continue to be happy with your recovery.
Chris

I have been doing PT twice a week since surgery March 14, 2024

God Bless,
Retha.

Hello Looking for advice on the polar ice machine? Did the hospital provide one for you or did you purchase one outside the hospital?

The hospital did not provide me with one. I purchased mine through the physical therapy office. You would freeze two water bottles and put them in the water in the polar ice machine. It stays cold longer. I had 4 bottles that I used. That way you use 2 while the other 2 are frozen. Then switch out.
God Bless,
Retha

thank you