Recovery from reverse shoulder replacement

Posted by jprust @jprust, Oct 18, 2023

What are others experiencing after a revere shoulder replacement?
I am 3 weeks post op today from the surgery. I had one Physical Therapy session with only passive range of motion activities. I was cleared for driving as soon as I was not taking pain medicine. I quit hydrocodone 5 days after surgery. My sling was never an immobilizer like I had after rotator cuff surgery. It is just a cloth holder to keep my arm close to my body and take the weight off my shoulder.
I am doing pendulum and swaying exercises 5+ times a day and bending my elbow. I start more active range of motion exercises next week.
I wanted to write this to give people encouragement if you are going to have this surgery. I needed a little help the first few days. I cannot lift anything that requires two arms, so heavy pans, etc. I have been showering, dressing myself, washing my hair, cooking, driving since 5 days post op. I am 74 years old.
One thing that might have helped my recovery. I went to physical therapy for 6 weeks before surgery to strengthen both shoulders.
Here’s hoping that all of us have successful outcomes and restore our function.

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debTrog | @debhunter | Sep 18 4:50pm

In reply to @kobesnowy "I have the bicep problem and around my neck area that just won’t go away" + (show)

How long has it been since your RSR surgery? Did you reinjure or can you identify any particular cause for the biceps and neck (trapezius?) pain? "Too much too soon"? Not me I am sure of it; only the exercises I was told to do, three times a day.

kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | Sep 18 5:22pm

In reply to @debhunter "How long has it been since your RSR surgery? Did you reinjure or can you identify..." + (show)

June 25 2025

Actually nothing except p/t and nothing overboard

debTrog | @debhunter | Sep 18 6:13pm

In reply to @kobesnowy "June 25 2025 Actually nothing except p/t and nothing overboard" + (show)

We have a similar story then. How long has it been? Is your biceps tendon flicking over the prosthetic and what are you doing about your rehab now?

kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | Sep 19 4:13am

Since I came home I have felt the area hard as heck
Mentioned to Dr and basically not much of a response

I think, mind you I am not sure but stretching seems to help while doing it

Last week I automatically went to put my hands on my hips and side with the surgery wouldn’t even move in that direction
I literally had to take my left arm and my right arm on my hip just to see if it would go

Not sure about you, but I can’t put my arm behind my back still. Sometimes my elbow and wrist hurt and Lifting heavier hurts

dmk | @dmk | Sep 20 12:12pm

How far out from surgery are you

debTrog | @debhunter | Sep 20 5:03pm

My RSR was 17 weeks ago. When was your surgery? I stopped physio because it was damaging my biceps about 3 weeks ago now and I can honestly say I am beginning to feel healing in the muscle. As of today, I have been able to reach straight back about 4" from hip but still not around behind my back and still can't tuck my shirt in or help the other arm pull track pants up.

laynemcpolin | @laynemcpolin | Oct 23 11:35pm

Reverse shoulder pain and palsy 18 months post op. The surgeon is at Witt’s end looking for a cause. Pain levels of 7-8 when I move. PT made it worse. EMG said it was not a spine nerve issue, it was a shoulder issue. II wondering if I need to see a neuro surgeon. I was told that I would be able to do most everything as before. I’ve had to give up work, give up golf, give up Harley riding and I can barely but very painfully play pool. My whole life turned upside down.

enelra03 | @enelra03 | Oct 24 6:16pm

In reply to @laynemcpolin "Reverse shoulder pain and palsy 18 months post op. The surgeon is at Witt’s end looking..." + (show)

@laynemcpolin
So sorry to hear....I am 5 months Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement and biceps tear repair...6 strict weeks in sling...10 weeks Physical Therapy and have 85% motion back...can zip up my dress.. back to oil painting. ..fishing and golf...no pain...stretch daily...great results!!

joannee | @joannee | Oct 25 8:02am

In reply to @laynemcpolin "Reverse shoulder pain and palsy 18 months post op. The surgeon is at Witt’s end looking..." + (show)

@laynemcpolin I am 2 plus years out of a RSR on my dominant arm. I still have pinching and discomfort and pain. The surgeon says my petite stature may have something to do with it. I’ve had acupuncture, injections, extra therapy, but it’s pretty much the same! I am active which makes it hard to not be able to move freely. I hope and pray you heal!!

dmk | @dmk | Oct 25 8:57am

In reply to @joannee "@laynemcpolin I am 2 plus years out of a RSR on my dominant arm. I still..." + (show)

@joannee
I had RTS 2019 always felt like there was a small impingement. Then a few years into it my arm started to lock up with severe pain. Surgeon sent me to different surgeon who said I had conjoint tendonitis and offered me a one time injection which was awesome. It lasted 3 months and 2 weeks and came back again as he predicted. My surgeon sent me to another surgeon who did the new surgery that’s been done for last 4 years or so. He hadn’t done it before but felt comfortable to do, but other surgeons did not. Had surgery in August where he released the conjoint tendon and decompressed my distal clavicle again.
Still in pt don’t have issues I’d been having before so I’m hoping it lasts. My RTS has had its issues but my TKR has been awesome.
Having said all that even with the issues with my RTS it’s still more functional than before any of the surgery