Recovery from reverse shoulder replacement

I spent 7 weeks in the recliner, it was actually comfortable. My doc said I could go to the bed but I tried that once and in my sleep I had moved over on my pillow with my shoulder, boy, did I wake up fast.

I used a wedge pillow plus a regular pillow(s) in bed for the first week or two. It drove me crazy because I am a side sleeper that needs a flat pillow, so the normal sleeplessness following surgery was compounded by being forced to use a position I hated. I spent so much time in the recliner during the day, that I needed a change of scenery to be able to sleep at night, plus our recliner felt too confining and was too upright to get a flat recline, even at the last position. I used additional pillows in bed behind the TSR arm to keep it from plopping back, although with the immobilizer on, it really wasn't going anywhere.

After surgery, how much use will I have of my hand on the surgery arm? E.g., can I use it to hold a zipper to line up the two sides, squeeze toothpaste on to my toothbrush, etc.?

Thanks.

I was allowed none to do anything except dangle circles for 2 weeks

If you get an immobilizer instead of a traditional shoulder sling, you can have a fair amount of use of your hand by disconnecting the wrist to waist velcro when you need to perform certain tasks. I was using my computer keyboard the next day I came home from the hospital. The elbow/waist velcro band on the immobilizer keeps your upper arm rigid so you are not moving your surgical shoulder, but can swing your lower arm forward or up and down for some rotation. I had planned on switching to use my toothbrush in my left hand, but found that I didn't have to -- even though brushing with my TSR right was much slower and involved moving my head and body more to compensate for not being able to do shoulder rotational movement. Before discharge, I was given hand exercises to do, along with the pendulum shoulder exercises, so they do want you to get your hand use back as soon as possible.

I had a reverse total shoulder replacement done 6 weeks ago. Started physical therapy at 3 weeks postop. Before that I was doing wrist exercises & elbow exercises. Now with formal PT I've gotten so much range of motion back Dr was surprised how I could far i could raise my arm. Doing well now. So I'm able to move better than I have in years and less pain. It was all from increasing arthritis in my shoulder. Now wanting to get the other shoulder done as that's now more painful than the operated side!!

Great info and encouraging. Can you give me a few tips of what kind of clothing works, did you have a block thing with sling, and did you use an ice machine after surgery?

Hi, My daughter signed me up for the ice machine and it was helpful the first few days,but truthfully,I had very little pain. As for clothing,the looser the better. I had purchased some adaptive tops that open and fasten on the shoulder and back but only used them a few times . Also,a bra that fastens in the front is a must or just skip it. Good luck!

Did you have the shoulder surgery at the mayo clinic? Did you use an ice machine after surgery or gel pads?

Not at Mayo. I used a gel pad that was sent home with me from the hospital, and I already had two from my previous knee surgeries, so I always had a spare in the freezer. I moved around frequently from recliner, to sofa, to bed, so a gel pack worked better than having to drag an ice machine with all its cords and tubes around after me.

You asked about clothing before, I found that old stretchy knit tops with a large neck opening were the most comfortable, put your TSR arm in first, then pull the rest over your head and put your good arm in last. If you get an immobilizer instead of a sling, there is no point in wearing a bra, as the waist band covers from your waist up to your armpits.