Say no to reverse shoulder replacement

My reverse was done just a year ago. Did physical therapy enthusiastically. They called me a rock star and discharged me from Phys Rehab. About 5 mos ago I tried to lift somethinbut was unable to. a few minutes afterthat my arm was locked with the elbow bent. That instnce was painful but a small weight held while doing bent over rotation got it unlocked. That's been heappening off and on since then caled my surgeon about , he said he's never heard of that, didn't think an xray woule be helpful. For my year check I jumped up and doen over the phne demand an xray. didn't see anything still hasn'nt heard of that happening. He said my componets were in place and looked fine.
I haven't been able to advance my strength that much I still get lock ups varying in intensity, pian only briefly till it's back "in place". Fine motor movement is tenuous. So push on with life, trying to be aware of when my dominant arm might fail on me, and not being on a ladder or carrying something sharp.

Good afternoon, reversed.
I guess you have some good days. I went to PT for 7 months.
My insurance would not pay for anymore physical therapy.
I understand about the weakness in your shoulder. I was a gym rat, working out since the late 1980's. Clean too.
I injured my shoulder by being thrown out by a helicopter. Ten years after my accident, I'm still dealing with my injuries.
I went back to the gym, and I hired a personal trainer to help me. The first workout he handed me two , two lbs weights. As soon as I tried to do a bench with the weights, my right shoulder and right arm went straight to the floor.It hurt like a mother. I paid the trainer for his help, 55$ for one minute of exercise.
I tried to walk on the treadmill, but it just aggravated my knee.
I have done the surgery for my right knee, and it feels great.
Why is the shoulder so difficult to do? The same clinic as I had a knee replaced. A different Doctor did my shoulder surgery. Of course the other doctors recommended him for pain relief from my shoulder.
I did the surgery,and the rehab.
My range of motion is still poor compared to my left arm. The shoulder and bicep remains painful. Worse than before my surgery. I should have left my shoulder alone. Absolutely,more pain in my shoulder than before. I can't shoot well enough to qualify for my previous job, or qualify for any job. Obviously,it was a workers comp issue. They have a company that is in charge of worker's comp issues. They sent a representative to accompany me in all of my PT and doctors appointments. It was weird, but I put with it.
The whole process sucked. She was always monitoring me for anything related to my shoulder. I should have complained, but I won't work that way. I had at least over a hundred people witness the accident. But I was still monitored daily. Why don't they go for the people that are collecting checks for years on disability? I see so many around my neighborhood. The whole medical system is broken. At least be honest with the surgeon.I am at a loss. Any ideas would be helpful.
Also. I went on a rant about the medical system. Right now it's inflation that's hurting seniors.
I happen to be one of the gentlemen, and I don't like it.

@reversed Thanks for posting.
We need to educate the surgeons, so that they have opportunity to learn and improve. I took a one-page printed sheet that I read off at 6 months (14 Nov.).
Mental and physical anguish is not why we signed up for this. In hindsight, I did not give informed consent. I did not know getting worse was a risk and my former life was about to end. I thought that I'd have a rehab period and be back at life better than before.
My whole body mechanics have been altered.
I composed a concise but full summary of what has happened since surgery. What has got worse and how my life is affected. Described pain and function, compared with prior to surgery.
At 14 Nov., the surgeon ordered blood test to check infection and yet more x-rays and I will go back at 7 months, before Xmas. At this next appointment, I will work on him again to get some soft tissue diagnostics and what his view of the outlook ahead could be.
Summary and a whinge: I am 7 months after L RSR and still in more pain than before and have poor RoM. I've done everything I've been told. I've had 3 sets of x-rays ("nothing wrong here") when I keep saying that it is not only a deep pain inside the new joint, but in the soft tissues. Pain, lack of power, not being able to get comfortable in bed, elbow pain, restricted ROM that prevents ordinary tasks. The physio exercises were actually tearing the anterior deltoids and getting worse. Physio also ignored me so I had to cease all exercises to allow muscle recovery.
The surgeon knew that my outdoor life is essential to my well being. After his surgery, in response to "when can I return to farming, caving, riding, sailing, kayaking, bushwalking" he said it can take 12-18 months to achieve full improvement (I knew that) then told me that anyway, the point of RSR was to relieve pain. BUT the pain is still worse! In fact, it even hurts to turn my car steering wheel and to pull the handbrake on.
OK, some patients get relief and/or are functionally better than before but it is the surgeons' disinterest when it doesn't go right that is brutal. Our life is on "pause" and our whole future hangs off their advice and guidance. The mental anguish is constant and is worse than the pain. But in my case, the pain sets off my other pain sites so in my life there is now constant pain. I keep looking into the future and making dates for joining activities, but have cancelled them all until a week ago, when I pushed myself out of anguish and frustration. I couldn't bear to cancel another date. But I needed a lot of help and since then, I have been hurting and weak all over from the poor all-over body mechanics and sleeping poorly despite all the analgesics I am taking.

I had RSR over a year ago, I gave up on PT after two weeks and used the pully 3or 4 X s day with a few other simple exercises . After three months I went back to the gym ( no trainer} and started slowly on the machines and worked up to heavier weights and also did many machines that utilized my shoulders. It worked out very well, my doctor was very pleased with my results.

@columbo Good morning.
I'm glad this surgery went well for you. It appears you made the right decision.
I've tried working out, and I used to workout 6 days a week. My shoulder just can't handle the weights.
I can go through the motions of a work-out with no weight added, but my shoulder feels like its coming apart. I'm an old man, 68 years old and since my surgery I feel every minute of my age. My shoulder is so bad I can't use it to get out of a chair, a bed,or off the floor. I went into this surgery with lolipops, thinking my shoulder would feel better.
Its worse now. Pain is still there, I lost strength and ROM. This surgery wasn't for me. When I was in PT, I talked with many RTSR patients. The general consensus was what have I done to deserve this? This is why I started this conversation. Too many people were extremely dissatisfied wth the outcome of this procedure.
Many, like me, gained nothing and lost more.
I am so happy for you. It sounds as you are on your way with a complete recovery.If anything changes in your condition send us a post. What is the old saying, misery loves company?

@kobesnowy Thanks for your post.
Keep going on the PT if you can afford it. Worker's comp had to pay for my PT.
Don't give up hope. There are many people on this forum that did well after the surgery. Stay positive, keep contact with your family and friends.
Try like Hell in your PT.
It really is no pain no gain.
Of course follow your Doctors instructions and keep up with your appointments. I know how you feel. I have been in the same"boat" as you. I think I had a bad surgery. If my surgeon forgot to prescribe pain medication, what else went wrong.
This forum isnt about me. It's a place to vent and sometimes get help with their condition. I wish this forum would disappear and all of the RTSR were successful. I had a knee replacement and all I can say is it's a miracle. A hard rehab, but worth it.
The shoulder is more complex, and hopefully the more surgeries the surgeons perform the better they become.
Hang in their kobesnowy.

I do hope your pain level is better since March. It is difficult to be patient after surgery. I had a benign bone removed at age 31. It was months before I healed and it wasn’t a joint. Shoulders and knees are a challenge. In future only go to someone who does a lot. Ask PT’s which bone docs have the best outcome. À PT cannot fix what a doc does wrong. Good luck, be patient and don’t give up on pt exercises. The exercises can loosen the scar tissue. I have had shoulder pain for years (fibromyalgia). I use pulleys, and lots of lifting, movement to reduce pain. Being a patient requires patience.

@koneil

Thank you 💯

What I need is strength training
I can’t lift anything not even a role of wrapping paper which I will admit is heavy because it’s from Costco but still it’s not that heavy

Even dinner plates are heavy for me
And that’s because I’ve had no strengthening done and all this time

But I saw the surgeon yesterday and I’m going to have At Home PT, but he did say to take it easy

Thanks again

@kobesnowy Thank you for staying in touch. I was a bodybuilder in my time.
Not now, by any standards.
I went to my gym,( first two letters are L A.) last week, and I thought everything was well. I was able to do shrugs for my delts . A surprise to say the least.
I did two sets of everything, including an hour on the treadmill.
The next morning I felt like I was hit by a truck. I couldn't get out of bed. I took two pain killers that were for my cervical and lumbar back.
Thank the lord.
I was in bed for a couple of days. I guess I over did it. Now I aggravated my left knee, and I look like a hunch back.
My orthopedic surgeon said it's time to replace the left knee.
It hurts in the front of my knee and the back. My exercise program aggravated it all.
I'm also scheduled for an ablation in my lumbar and cervical spine.
In my case I should have realized I am disabled old man. I should have gone for a fast walk.
Find a physical trainer that knows his stuff. Don't hire a big steroid fueled guy that just looks good. Ask your doctor who he would go to to for strength training. I did, and I was lucky enough to get a good one.I went twice a week to the rehab facility, and put close to an hour everyday. I did get the ROM improved. No strenth. Just be smart, and remember you aren't 21 anymore. Go light, and limit the three set rule.
We aren't going to make the Olympics this year.
Keep me posted.
Regards,
Ken