Say no to reverse shoulder replacement

@tooth
I have dislocated both my shoulders countless times because of seizures. Ive had multiple surgeries but continued to dislocate. When I was about 20, my doctor said by the time I was 40 I would have to have artificial shoulders, but I'm 73 now and I still refuse to have the shoulder replacement surgery. My shoulders seem to have stabilized and any pain I' have I'm able to tolerate and have accepted my limitations. I'm going to continue to stick with my original parts until the time comes that I can no longer tolerate the pain or limitations. I have extensive damage in buth shoulders, neck and surrounding structures. Are you still having this locations? If so, have you had any stabilization surgeries to help prevent them.
You sound like me, very hesitant. If and when I ever have shoulder replacement surgery or any other type shoulder surgery, it will be because I definitely know I have no other choice.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

@tooth I'll begin by saying that fear, anxiety and the wish to avoid major surgery are very normal. Even though I have had more than a dozen joint surgeries/replacements over the past 20 years, I go through the "should I or shouldn't I?" exercise every single time. If you are really stuck there, having cancelled once already, it might be the time to talk this through with a counselor, or a friend or family member you really trust.

Let's start with some basics:
Do you want to continue to live the rest of your life always worrying about another dislocation?
Do you want to improve your ability to use the arm?
Are you willing to do the rehab? This means not just seeing PT twice a week for a few weeks, but doing the exercises EVERY DAY at home for up to 4 months? Even if it hurts sometimes?
Do you have someone to help you at first, whether in your home full-time, or who can reliably come and help you every day for a couple weeks? This means help with everything the first few days - even showering and changing clothes. And help with cooking, cleaning, laundry and getting to appointments for a few weeks. Or is a short-term rehab stay possible for you with your Medicare?

Now let me share my self-questioning process for my wrist, which I will be replaced in June:
What if I don't get it done now, and it fails completely, causing even more pain and taking away use of my right hand?
I asked the surgeon, if my "old" fails, will they still be able to repair it using the same technique they are proposing now? (No)
Would it be more invasive surgery, or possibly even no surgical option? (More invasive, total fusion and permanent loss of range of motion)
How long might I need to wait for surgery, with useless hand in a sling? (It would be non-emergency, so probably 6-7 weeks.)

So now, can you substitute your situation into this Q&A? You might need to call your surgeon's office for a few of the answers.

At 66, you are still relatively young, and unless you have life-threatening conditions, you can expect to live another 10-20 years. Only you can decide if you want a better shoulder. Will you let me know what you decide after the thinking-through exercises above?

I had my reverse shoulder replacement done when I was 75 and am now nearly a year post-op and very satisfied. The replacement was recommended many years ago - even at Mayo where I went for a 2nd opinion. I held off due to the lifting/carrying weight limitations as I had much to do at home (retired contractor). I'm not sorry I waited as I tend to get surgery when I, "crawl in the doctor's door", thus the joint replacement always feels like a miracle, given pain relief and return of function. I've had 2 hips, 2 knees and one shoulder. The other shoulder is pending but I'm holding off as I can still lift and carry substantial weight with that arm. Somewhere I read years ago that the most satisfied patients are those that "crawl in the door" (so to speak). The least satisfied are those where trauma (car crash, etc.) leads to the new joint. Don't know how accurate that is but it suits my mindset. Of course the decision is always a personal one - my wife would prefer I opted for surgery sooner than I have done. I had always run the gamut of conservative care (PT, injections, fingers crossed) but opted for surgery when there was no other choice - as someone else mentioned. RandyReg

@randyreg
My goodness you have been Mill
I hope you are keeping well, thank you for your advice
My operation is scheduled for 4 th June .
Regards Angela

Angela, I believe you’ll do fine, as the majority of people do. It is just one year since I had my rTSR on my dominant arm and the shoulder works well. Recovery for me was long but not arduous, not as difficult as my knee replacement. I had some muscle pain, mainly in the biceps, which is now finally resolved. I was also very ambivalent but now very glad I went ahead. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

I had my reverse shoulder replacement done when I was 75 and am now nearly a year post-op and very satisfied. The replacement was recommended many years ago - even at Mayo where I went for a 2nd opinion. I held off due to the lifting/carrying weight limitations as I had much to do at home (retired contractor). I'm not sorry I waited as I tend to get surgery when I, "crawl in the doctor's door", thus the joint replacement always feels like a miracle, given pain relief and return of function. I've had 2 hips, 2 knees and one shoulder. The other shoulder is pending but I'm holding off as I can still lift and carry substantial weight with that arm. Somewhere I read years ago that the most satisfied patients are those that "crawl in the door" (so to speak). The least satisfied are those where trauma (car crash, etc.) leads to the new joint. Don't know how accurate that is but it suits my mindset. Of course the decision is always a personal one - my wife would prefer I opted for surgery sooner than I have done. I had always run the gamut of conservative care (PT, injections, fingers crossed) but opted for surgery when there was no other choice - as someone else mentioned. RandyReg

@randyreg
Thank you for that perspective. My TSR on the right was very much like that; I would've crawled in the door at the time it was done. But I did spend time avoiding it , I was 54 and getting warnings of you'll end up with a RSR. I was 71 a year and half ago and pulled the trigger. The pain has taken different forms put has never ceased. I have just started to be able to write with my right had, cannot do things above shoulder level (putting coffe cup in microwave), cannot do things that require dexterity ( type at tthe computer, text message, cut up peppers, cut my dogs toenails). I have work to do on the house; i need to invest in lighter drill and saws ( hopefully I'll be able to cut straight). I volunteered tofix a neighbors lamp and ended up destroying it. Anything I do thar requires my elbow being anywhere around 90degrees risks what I guess is my new right shoulder dislocating. Sometimes that's holding a cup of coffee or a magazine.
I'd love for there to be some PT that helps with any of that, especially getting some manual functionality or strentgh. I havent heard anything from my surgeon or PT since I graduated the 4 wks of presribed PT. From what I'm reading here, I must have spaced out when they talked about weigh limitations.
I've had 2 hips and now two R shoulders done. It was never about pain, for me it's being functional. When I'm hiking or walking I have no pain.