Need total reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Has anyone had this.

No, but I am in the planning phase for one bc of shot rotator cuff. I am being treated at HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Because of osteoporosis, I will be having a consult with HSS endocrinologist/osteoporosis specialist. My surgeon Gabrielle Ode is doing all the right things. As an RN I have done alot of research. What is your concern?

Hi kathimarquette,

I'm a 71 y/o male and had my left shoulder replaced last August. However, I had an anatomical TSR, unlike the reverse procedure you need.

While I don't have experience with the reverse procedure, I think these are the ways it is different from anatomical:

1) the glenoid (shoulder socket) is placed on top of the humerus (upper arm bone), and the ball of the joint is placed at the end of the clavicle.

2) initial recovery is usually "easier" than anatomical, as the rotator cuff is left alone during surgery (the reason you are having a reverse is likely because one or more of your rotator cuffs is damaged and can't be repaired surgically). In an anatomical procedure, the subscapularis muscle is detached and reattached, and this slow downs the recovery process while the stitches into the scapula and humerus heal.

3) in a reverse replacement, the deltoid muscles take the place of the rotator cuff in stabilizing the shoulder. So it is likely rehab/PT will involve exercises for the deltoid muscles.

Immediately post-op, my bicep was swollen to twice it's normal side. I had a lot of bruising down my left side. It looks worse than it is!

One suggestion - check with your surgeon to find out if pre-op PT for your deltoids, or anything else, would make recovery easier/faster.

Rehab from either type of TSR requires a lot of patience. The first phase of rehab/PT is to regain flexibility in the shoulder (one month to about 6 weeks). The second phase is to rebuild strength in the shoulder (about 6 weeks after the first phase).

As far as post-op pain, well I was kept overnight on a diluted ketamine drip (opioids don't work for me). I had to sleep propped up on my back with my operated shoulder supported. This may have been the hardest part, although I am still sleeping on my back because I have come to like it!

I had noticeable, sharp pain, especially in the morning, for the first 2 or 3 days. It is painful but not debilitating, and whatever pain meds they give you will help.

(I was also given an ice machine. I found cold gel packs from the freezer to work better. You'll also spend time in a "continuous passive motion" chair. Bring a good book!

So recovery, as far as feeling "normal" is around 3 to 6 months. Patience is required to stick with the rehab/PT for an extended period of time, probably 3 months post-op. But it is in your best interests to stick with it and avoid scar tissue.

I hope that helps. In my experience, all the pain I had pre-op, and it was bad, was relieved after the replacement.

(For what it's worth, I'm in very good shape for someone my age. I'm in the gym every day and do spinning for cardio and also resistance (weight) training. My weight is normal for my height and I just tend to heal faster than most. Just full disclosure as we're all different!)

I wish you all the best! Please let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

I am a 76 year old male that had both shoulders replaced using the reverse shoulder replacement surgery procedure, I had my left shoulder done Jan 8th 2025 and the right done August 8 th 2025. I did not have in house Physical Therapy. I started out patient PT for my left shoulder in early Feb and continued until April 15. For my right shoulder I started out patient PT in early Sept and continued until DEC 20th. I am a disabled veteran, and the VA paid for the therapy.
My surgeon and the VA orthopedic surgeon both said I could have regular shoulder replacement for my second
(Right shoulder). I decided to go with reverse shoulder replacement surgery, since I had a very quick recovery time and less pain from my first (left shoulder). The pro's of reverse shoulder replacement surgery is less pain
( I only used Tylenol and baby aspirin or two weeks after surgery) & shorter recovery time.
The con with reverse shoulder replacement surgery is never getting 100% range of motion. I can not place both hands in the small of my back ( parade rest in the military). I do have 98% range of motion.
Strong Recommendations:
1. Rent the NICE1 Iceless Cold Compression Therapy System . ( I wish I had known for my first surgery.)
2. Google "pre-op exercises for reverse shoulder replacement surgery & do the exercises to strengthen arm & shoulder prior to surgery.
3. Google and ask you surgeon for post-op exercises before you start actual physical therapy.
4. Make time and effort to do the exercises that the physical therapist shows you during the out patient therapy sessions. Your therapist will tell you that most folks only do the exercise in the Physical Therapist office. For them recovery time is longer.

Good Luck!
Eric

My husband had total reverse shoulder surgery in August 2024 and did very well. He was a maintenance engineer, so he was very concerned about losing mobility in his primary arm.

He did pre-op exercises and after surgery started PT. He was off pain pills after the first week.

At his 6 week follow-up the surgeon was very happy with his progress. He had limited pain and was able to do more than many can do at 12 weeks.

By his 12 week follow-up appointment, he was able to fully reach above his head but had some pain reaching back to his pocket or to reach for seat belt in the car.

This continued even after he was done with PT. I suggested he go to my PT specifically for this issue. He did and within 2 weeks the therapist figured out what the issue was and with specific exercises he worked through this issue and now has full functionality.

He plays pickleball 4-5 times a week, bikes and lifts weight (although he has dropped the weight he lifts). He is very happy he had the surgery and can now sleep on his left side without pain. The only restriction he has is that he should not use his primary arm for things like hammering as it can cause issues.

Best of luck and I hope your surgery is as successful as my husband’s surgery was.

I have had two total replacements about 10-12 years ago and a revision 2 years ago. I need another revision, but am putting it off because in extracting the orthesis, my bone broke and failed to heal. I wish there was a way to make modular orthesis so that when it comes time to replace the replacement, the doctors do not have to remove the metal spike from your bone. My revisions were made necessary by atrophy of my rotator cuff—a common occurrence in older women. I am 71.

Thank you for your response. I am 72 years old and so I am afraid of things that may happen to my bones.
Good luck to you.

@erluke65 thank you for your response.

@heyjoe415 thank you for your response.

Had left rotator done conventionally 15 years ago; at 91, I have a full range of motion. Five years after conventional operation, it was suggested that, because of my age, I should have the "reverse" done to reduce recovery time and pain.
I had the operation and was told that I could perform in-home therapy, using a towel. I did not accept that and went to the hospital for weeks of therapy. The recovery was quicker, the pain was less, but I never recovered my full range of motion. Does it bother me? Yes, because I am active and cannot reach around my back, and my motion is restricted.
From reading other responses, I would say talk to your doctor about motion restriction, as others have seemed to overcome my problem.

@cdammen It is important to evaluate for osteoporosis before your surgery. What happened can be bc of your bone health. I am going to have a RSR and my surgeon in my first visit asked if I have osteoporosis which is a concern for poor bone quality and bone breaking . I will be seeing an endocrinologist and osteoarthritis specialist at HSS (Hospital for special Surgery) in NYC after blood work and a bone density which includes eval for trajectory bone score. That is a test for quality of the bone. Though I am upset that my surgery has been postponed, I am grateful for the care, that I am getting at HSS.