Has anyone had a Reverse Shoulder Replacement?

You are only 4 1|2 months into pt. I had many issues with my RTS in 2019. My awesome pt used muscle stimulator and got me one to use at home. Also got my own theraband pulleys that I use everyday since 2019. When it was safe he dry needled muscles which really enabled me to progress in therapy. My arm I still felt had some impingement and started locking up . Finally in 2024 another surgeon said I had a complication of RTS called conjoint tendonitis. Said there was an experimental surgery the last few years that released conjoint tendon but he had never done it. He offered a one time injection which worked immediately but that it would come back which it did 3 months later. So I was sent yet to another surgeon who felt I was good candidate for that surgery and even though he had never done it, he felt comfortable doing it. In Aug 2025 he released the tendon and re decompressed the clavicle and I don’t feel an impingement anymore and my shoulder is so much better so to date I find it to be a successful surgery.
Remember this is not a sprint but a marathon.

I had RSA May 2025. Early days yet.
dmk's experience is interesting, I'm glad it is working out for you dmk.
Here is my healing path in case it helps your own approach. Remember, everyone is different, and take rehab at your own pace.
Post surgery, I had severe pain and had to sit up in a recliner for 3 months. Then an over-enthusiastic PT gave me rehab exercises that tore my anterior deltoid and I had to drop rehab for 3 months and spend more time in the sling while it healed. I still can't lie on that side 10 months after surgery.
However, I am finally back to lap-swimming and yoga and I am helping build my deltoids with pulley exercises, now without tearing anterior detoid.
I have always suspected conjoint tendonitis. There is also some damage to the brachial plexus nerve, but it is starting to settle. According to my literature research 21% of women having RSA get nerve damage and pain from that but it usually settles within 6 months.
I've also experienced an associated flare up of my trigeminocervical neuralgia.
I had a non-communicative surgeon, so I've looked for a suitable second opinion surgeon to check my progress and the implications of my experience for the second shoulder (dominant side). That appointment is coming up in two weeks plus I'm under review by the Persistent Pain Clinic and a new doctor there, as well as about to consult a highly qualified chiropractor who knows rehab and uses low level laser treatment. I bought a LLL to address the new nerve damage at home once I know how.
Feel free to keep in touch, I know this Mayo peer chat helped me a real lot.

Here's my 2 cents. Last August fell on my left shoulder knew it was damaged. Finally went orthopedic Dr. MRI indicated torn rotator cuff not repairable. Recommended Total reverse shoulder replacement but do physical therapy first. Did that FIRST 6 weeks. It really did help and improve my condition. Researching the procedure my main concern was loss of movement reaching behind my back. After lots of thoughts on it I decided to forego the procedure at this time. My movement is limited to this day but I can live with it. Can still reach behind my back enough to get dressed , just can't lift arm outward with or without weight. Doctor told me fine, I can always come back. Yes everybody different. Oh ya I'm male 73 retired but try to stay active. 50 60% use of left shoulder as is . I can live with it for now

@warrend It sounds like you made a very wise decision. I am 18 weeks into therapy post surgery and can only lift my arm 1/3 of the way.

If I currently was unable to dress by reach behind my back I may have went through with it. I still need to assist my left arm with the right to get it above my head like for shower. Putting on shirts, coats etc is a timely process. Don't get me wrong, there is still pain and reminders of my limits when I accidentally over reach or stretch. As far as lifting out to the side on its own, no weight, may be 8 -10 ". I understand it will never heal itself, just learning to deal with what I have. If mine was an arthritic diagnosis of sorts I may not have had this option. In my case therapy pre surgery did make things a little better with limitations. If I had the surgery I may have gotten back more movementvin one area but lost some in the rear reach. I still have that option if things don't work out

Hi all, I saw a highly qualified chiro-kinesiologist yesterday who has set me on the path of recovery from nerve damage and multiple tendonitis post-RSA May 2026. I feel much better already. I'm going back for review in three weeks and meantime I have been given instructions to continue with my home LLLT device on subscap and biceps tendons.

@debhunter I meant May 2025, oops.

I had mine done in August. Best thing I did! Months and months of PT was very hard but I'm 64 and wearing a bra again. I still have problems putting on deodorant but it was also my 6th replacement surgery. Went in for my knees and ended up starting with my hips. Both hips, both knees with a revision and then my reverse shoulder replacement. I'm a walking science project!🥳!

I had a pre RSR with my PT this week who told me that shoulder surgery often leads to wasting of the deltoid. As you know the deltoid id the muscle we depend on after RSR. So talk to you PT and make sure you are focusing on the deltoid. I am working on my deltoid and shoulder prep at home and with my personal trainer.

Spoke to my surgeon re mobility and range of motion post surgery especially bc I want to get back to swimming. She said there is no guarantee. Depends of course on good PT and someone who knows what they are doing, the positioning of the implants, correct size of implant, etc., and issues re. the scapula.

I had a rTSR on 5/1/25. It went very well and I started walking (4 miles per day) using trekking poles after one month to aid with stability (had a TAR in 12/24) and to give the shoulder some repetitions at low load. Also started PT at that time. I started playing tennis again ~ 2 months ago and the shoulder feels great. I played tennis before so my shoulder muscles were fairly strong. Walking with trekking poles might be a good way for fitness and light shoulder strength rehab.

Good luck