Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Range of motion?

I just had rotator cuff surgery on May 12 at Mayo. How is it going for you?

Just an idea for people who have torn rotator cuffs that are not repairable. I begin PT today....6 weeks after Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer. The surgery took a muscle from my back and 2 achilles tendons from a cadaver and recreated the rotator cuffs that cover the top on my shoulder. The surgeon also repaired a torn rotator on the front of my shoulder. Chose this surgery instead of replacement because I didn't have arthritis in the shoulder and wanted to get back to playing tennis. Have been told after 6 months, no restrictions. The pain has been non existent although I've been in an arm immobilizer for 6 weeks, 24/7. Just an idea for folks with more than just 1 rotator cuff tear. For any shoulder surgery... if you can get a nerve block that took ALL pain away for the first 5 days and I've just had a few tylenols since then. Good luck.

@ltsalky, wonderful news. Apparently a good solution for younger patients with no bone issues and a passion for tennis.

Thanks for sharing.
Chris

I don't know about 'younger'.... I'm 67.

@ltsally.....oh my, you are just few years younger than I am at 77. Chris

I've been getting injections in my shoulder for over 3 years. Now they are not lasting and I'm meeting with my doctor next week to discuss shoulder replacement surgery. I'm 76 and live by myself and am concerned how I'm going to take care of myself during recovery which sounds like a long time after reading these notes.

@gail922 I had a marvelous surgeon at Mayo who did total replacements on both of my shoulders. The left side was done when I was 74, and as it was my non-dominant hand, recovery was easy. A friend set up a rota and friends stopped by to do do things I couldn't manage with one hand, like making my bed and doing some of the exercises. My dominant side was done when I was 78, and that was a whole different story. I'd moved to another state, so I didn't have that group of friends, and flew to Arkansas to stay with my daughter. She has a very demanding job, so I was pretty much on my own. I was really clumsy, but I made it work. I do tend to heal well and quickly, and I have full use of both shoulders with no pain. My wonderful surgeon kids me, saying that I have better range of motion than he has. He's taken photos of videos of me demonstrating my range of motion. Keep a positive attitude, and keep exercising your shoulder right up until the day of surgery, which will help greatly with your recovery. So, prepare gail922. Would it be your dominant or non-dominant shoulder? Do you have friends or neighbors who could help you? Or a visiting health care service? Wishing you the best!

It's my dominant shoulder. I'm not worried about dressing and I can bring in frozen dinners. Bathroom issues are what worry me. How long is it before you were able to drive yourself. I have friends who will stop by but they don't live close enough that I would expect them to drop by every day. I'm sure they would help with shopping. How long is it before I can take care of myself? Use my my arm to brush my teeth, etc.

@gail922 I prepared ahead of time by making myself use my non-dominant hand for toothbrushing, toileting, and anything else I could--reaching for things, carrying small items, etc, You will have some LIMITED use of your hand that's in the abduction sling. If I remember correctly, driving was out for the 6 weeks I was in the sling. It's manageable..,,YOU CAN DO IT!!

I had a total shoulder replacement of my right shoulder in July 2019. My shoulder was hurting quite a bit though the pain often felt as if it were down my right arm as far, at times, as my elbow. I learned that was normal and related to the nerves being impacted by the damage in my shoulder. My shoulder had significant damage directly related to arthritis. Years ago I broke my right arm just below my shoulder. I did not receive physical therapy at that time. My range of motion was impacted from that injury. Not severely but noticeably. I was convinced a shoulder replacement was going to be a difficult surgery with a painful recovery. My experience was almost startlingly different. The surgery went well. Recovery went well. Physical therapy went well. Range of motion is good with a bit of pain when reaching behind. I believe, for me, the success I had was directly related to me following all the suggestions for resting, taking meds, using shoulder sling all the time required, etc. I used YouTube to show me how to position my arm while sitting and sleeping and changing clothes. The warnings about being slack in these areas got my attention. I also stayed with friends for several weeks so I was safe and free to recover. Of course physical therapy was critical also. Yes, it was painful. Yes, recovery seems to take forever. Was the surgery successful and worth it? A thousand times yes!!