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Would like others experience on Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Mar 18 1:48pm | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
I am new to this group. I am 74, very active, and very discouraged. For many years I have had mild bilateral shoulder pain. When it finally drove me to the doctor, I had xrays:
* 2/29/2024, left shoulder, Moderate hypertrophic degeneration of the left acromioclavicular joint consistent with osteoarthritis. Mild left glenohumeral joint degenerative changes.
* 4/10/2024, right shoulder, Mild acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joint degenerative changes.
* 7/24/2025, following a fall, left shoulder, There is mild glenohumeral and mild to moderate acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. The soft tissues are unremarkable.
I actually have a very good pain tolerance, (I have severe degenerative arthritis in my L knee and I don't even do shots for it) so I was surprised that this was causing me trouble. Nonetheless, I went ahead and had shots in both shoulders at 6 - 8 month intervals which relieved my pain.
Then, 12/19/25, I was heaving some groceries up the stairs and felt my shoulder pop and had immediate, sharp pain. I realized I had done something stupid, and treated with heat and ice. I saw my PCP on 12/30. Even though I had been having difficulty with moving my arm in certain conditions, it was not bad at the time I saw him, and I felt he just wrote it off as complainful. Also, I have always had great range of motion, and that was unaffected. But even though I tried to be careful and continue to let the joint heal, I ending up causing more very painful pops, at increasingly frequent intervals. Finally after 2 1/2 months of increasing pain and decreasing mobility, I returned to my PCP, who thought if was probably just the arthritis, but upon seeing a lump on the front of my shoulder, finally decided to order an MRI.
I had the MRI today and these are the results: 1. Full-thickness tears of supraspinatus and infraspinatus. 2. Partial-thickness, bursal-sided tearing of teres minor. 3. Subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis. 4. Partial tear of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. 5. Severe acromioclavicular joint degenerative changes.
At this point, I am pretty sure I need an RSR, as my lifestyle is being seriously affected. I have a referral to my local orthopod, and am thinking of getting a second opinion from Mayo Clinic. I have a couple of questions, and I realize that folks here are no medical doctors. 1. Should I request an MRI of my other shoulder? 2. I probably can't have surgery before the end of April, as I have a road trip for a retreat in mid-April... how do I protect my shoulder from getting any worse while I wait? 3. More than 20 years ago I was told that I have degenerative disc disease, but have had no xrays or MRI of my back since. I have suffered from low back pain for about 30 years. Should I push for someone to look at my back?
Thanks in advance for any input - especially about how I am going to get through the next 2 months.
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Hi @tekkie50 and so sorry for what you are going through.
I've had both knees, right hip, and left shoulder replaced. My left shoulder was "anatomical" because my rotator cuff was intact. You're in the opposite situation and so need a reverse TSR. I'll also try and answer your other questions.
1. I don't think you need to get an MRI for your other shoulder - yet. Deal with the shoulder that needs the rTSR. But yes, eventually get it Xrayed and MRI'd to check the condition of the rotator cuff.
2. Protecting your shoulder while you wait for surgery. A few ideas - start sleeping propped up on your back with a small pillow or some folded hand towels under your problem arm. If you are a side sleeper this will take some adjusting. I did eventually get used to it.
For pain, ask your Dr to prescribe 5% lidocaine patches. You can apply this over the shoulder at night for some pain relief.
Alternatively, you can use K-tape. You'll need someone to apply it but I found this tape to work better than lidocaine at relieving my pain. It lifts up the skin over the affected shoulder and improves circulation and reduces inflammation, swelling, the associated pain. Do some research on how to apply the tape. There are also videos available. It looks kinda silly, as if it wouldn't work, but it really does help.
3. My lumbar spine is a disaster area. I have stenosis, scoliosis spondylolisthesis, degenerative discs, and on. I've had two bouts with sciatica, very painful. I did get laminotomies 12 years ago (holes drilled in S1 through L4 to create space for the sciatic nerve). This worked and I haven't had fusion surgery - yet, and I'd like to avoid it.
And yes, absolutely, get an MRI of your lumbar spine. And pursue as many non-fusion alternatives as possible. Fusion, in my opinion, should be the last resort. So yes, please have a spine surgeon check out your back.
(One last point on the spine and all other bony structures/joints - use only ice for pain relief, never heat. Heat is good for muscles, but bad for bones. Why? Heat causes an inflow of blood to the area. That makes the muscles feel good, but perversely it increases inflammation. Stick with cold.)
I hope this helps you. If I missed anything or you have follow up questions, please let me know,
Joe