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Recovery from reverse shoulder replacement

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Sep 20 5:03pm | Replies (96)

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I’m glad I found this thread; I have a question.
I’m a 70 yr old female, avid gym rat, weight lifter( not power lifter but significant weight) backpacker, etc.
In March I was diagnosed with rotator cuff arthropathy and reverse shoulder replacement was recommended, which I refused. I did PT which helped, but the pain is coming back and I’ve still not regained total strength in that arm.
Has anyone in my situation had this surgery and regained most or all of their strength?
I’ve been reading a lot on Dr Google about permanent restrictions and it’s pretty depressing. I’d like to hear from actual people though.
Anyone try prp or stem cells?
Thanks

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Replies to "I’m glad I found this thread; I have a question. I’m a 70 yr old female,..."

I am a 77 year old female, my reverse TSR was about four years ago. My vertical reach and arm mobility were back to normal by about the 4th month. I do a lot of gardening, dragging long hoses , stock panel support sections, lifting heavy pots and water buckets. My arm feels normal and I am not even aware of the reverse prosthesis. I have to consciously stop myself and use my "good" left arm for picking up heavier buckets. In post-surgery PT, I was put on various weight lifting machines to help with arm strength towards end of my term. My surgeon said it's the way you lift, not the weight itself that is important, (within reason, of course.) You need to keep your elbow bent, so that your muscles take and carry the weight as they normally should, you don't want a straight downward drag that only pulls on the shoulder joint. I don't think of myself self as having any permanent restrictions other than common sense. Two years ago, I overdid it before leaving for vacation and had acute shoulder pain on certain movements for several weeks. But by the time I got in for an appointment, it had resolved itself, so we decided it was just bursitis and nothing to do with the TSR. Have had no problems since. My reason for having the surgery initially was constant arthritic pain that was affecting me daily, and inability to raise my hand to my head, or lift anything heavier than a coffee cup. I am so pleased with my results and have no regrets.