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Concerns after Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Hello, I'm new to this forum.
I'm 55 yo, and I'm just over 6 weeks post Reverse total shoulder replacement. I am concerned. I have not contacted my surgeons office yet because I don't want to complain without more facts.
My rotator cuff and all associated movement/external rotation etc was perfect before the surgery, and now it seems it's destroyed. (please read on).
I've been dealing with bone on bone shoulder arthritis for years, (heavy weight lifter off/on over the years) and finally decided to get it done and over with ( also, now is a good time because of other life situations).
Every assessment of my rotator cuff per-surgery was that it was good. I've never had any issues with rotator cuff, very strong. So I went into the surgery, and was literally in pre-op with the understanding I was going to have a standard anatomic total shoulder replacement, with a possible need for a custom made augmented socket insert (to compensate for some socket wear). I never had an MRI pre surgery, because the surgeon said once he's in the shoulder during surgery, he'll be able to much better assess the condition of my rotator cuff.
In the recovery room after surgery, is when I hear they had to do a reverse total shoulder, because apparently my socket was so worn down . That upsets me, because why didn't the CT scan show them before the surgery that the socket was so worn? And that I was expected to have a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement? And then, what the ramifications of that will be e.g., big loss of use of dominate arm. The facility touts they use "Blueprint 3d Planning + PSI" that "creates an anatomic 3D model of your shoulder and virtually perform your shoulder replacement surgery"
If that's the case, why didn't they know ahead of time that I needed a Reverse Total Shoulder.
The point is, my rotator cuff and all associated movement/external rotation etc was perfect before the surgery, and now it seems it's destroyed. Even though I'm only barely over six weeks post op, I have no external rotation with "positive elbow flexion". In other words, I can't hold my elbow straight out in from of me, with arm bent at 90 degrees. Elbow will push outward, I can't keep in near my body.(SEE PICTURE BELOW).
Even sitting straight upright, at a table, with elbows very slightly in front of me (like now at a keyboard), I have to external rotation. The surgery was performed on my left shoulder and I'm left-handed. I have to hold my dominant arm so that I can brush my teeth, shave, even eat. If that doesn't get any better, it'll be a disaster. I'm already wishing I had my arthritis back. 🙁
I will be angry if they knew ahead of surgery that I needed a Reverse total shoulder replacement, while also having a perfectly good rotator cuff, and didn't tell me that I will lose a lot of use of my dominate arm.
Again, I'm sure people will read this and say ....."hey you're not even two months post surgery, give it time to heal", ......but other aspects of my recovery (Active range of motion) are going very well and this external rotation thing is not at all. If it was going to improve, I would think it would have started improving by now.
I'm hoping that somebody here who has had a reverse shoulder replacement can address external rotation ability. Again from my perspective, my rotator cuff was perfect. I had no limitations whatsoever, and now I'm afraid the use of my dominant arm will be much worse than before the surgery. I am making very quick recovery in all other aspects.
attached is picture of left arm. Can't move it outward. It's not because it's sore, it's just there is nothing there to move the arm.
Seems doubtful it will improve but looking for feedback.
Thanks all
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I was in an abd sling for 6 weeks Reverse total shoulder replacement...only passive range of motion ....started active range of motion with physical therapist twice weekly for 10 weeks....doing daily exercises on own...now 18 weeks post op and full range of motion...keeping up with daily exercises and stretching arm and able to reach above head....reach into cabinets....need to keep up physical therapy...good luck!
I suffered shoulder pain for forty years. Multiple Xray's over the years. Every time diagnosed with either tendinitis or bursitis. Same treatment every time, injections. When I could no longer lift my arm, I had my 1st and very painful MRI. All of my tendons had separated as well as my bicep. Told that my shoulder was damaged severely and needed surgery over twenty years earlier. I had no choice but a reverse replacement. Insurance rules always means no MRI or surgery until no chance for a better life,
It's been almost a year since my TRSR and I still have arm and shoulder pain. You are about to experiance the weakness, decreased ROM, and continued shoulder pain. I too wish for my arthritis back compared with this prosthesis in my shoulder.
Man, you were tricked into a crappy surgery that will change your life. I knew the questionable outcome of the surgery, but I trusted the orthopedic surgeon. I shouldn't have listened to his sales pitch. He had me believing this surgery is a piece of cake. Not at all. I did 6 months of physical therapy for nothing.
All I can do is warn everyone to really think twice about having this surgery.
So sorry for your experience, but I agree 100%.
What you’ve just said is what I suspected. I too got a great sales pitch.
Thank God I hesitated and haven’t done it. I’d rather fight the pain than have that stuff in my body.
I’m going the holistic route with prp injections and/or stem cells. Even if it’s not successful, I’ll be no worse off.
Please, folks, always get a second opinion and really think.
I disagree with you...I am 20 weeks post Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement and biceps tendon repair...I have great range of motion... NO pain...working on strength training...PT 10 weeks after being in Abductor sling for 6 weeks...doing daily exercises as prescribed. Sad for your poor results but wouldn't deter other people from having procedure.
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3 ReactionsI am four years post reverse TSR and it was the best thing I could have done for my arm. I had constant aching and was unable to lift my hand to touch my head or hold heavier objects. I had very little hard pain after surgery, quit taking the opioid based pills after the first day home, (the nausea and constipation was worse than the rTSR pain) did lots of icing and passive pendulum exercises at home before starting true PT. Did the prescribed exercises several times a day. My vertical reach was back to normal in about 4 months and my arm is pain free. We can only speak to our own experiences and mine was very positive.
I was thrilled when the surgeon decided it was time to do the replacement. The pain was really getting so bad it started cutting into my ice cream eating time. We all have our priorities. Glad I did it.
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2 ReactionsI am another person who had a positive experience. I just “graduated” from PT after four months, and my range of motion is very good and still improving. My only pain is due to challenging muscles which are still not as strong as I’d like. I’ll be doing stretching and strengthening exercises for many months yet. I encourage those who are hesitant to do your homework and choose a surgeon with lots of experience.
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2 ReactionsWith reverse should surgery, you no longer have a rotator cuff. At least I can now lift things and sleep at night. I just need to figure out how to golf.
I wish I could figure out how to sleep