Shoulder Replacement Support Group

I will check in but it may not be for a few days. Just depends on the medications. LOL

Hi- I’m a 75 yr old woman who had total shoulder replacement May 21,09 and agree with the recommendations for clothing. Slip on footwear is good as long as secure on feet to prevent fall.
I wore a sling for about 3 weeks and did PT in an inpatient rehab facility, followed by PT and OT at
home therapist visits and then have been going for outpatient rehab 3 times a week for 3 weeks so far.
I have been in constant pain day and night since surgery. My dr felt I just needed more PT and time.
I’ve been to him twice since and neither X-ray showed a problem structurally with shoulder .
From the location of my pain, he surmised that I have considerable nerve inflammation .
Yesterday he prescribed Prednisone and Lyrica which I’m starting today.
This 10 weeks of constant pain has caused considerable depression and anxiety keeping me at home a great deal of the time.
I’ve investigated many post surgical tsr and find such varying outcomes that I so enjoy reading those of little or no pain.
Has anyone else had the nerve inflammation outcome as mine?
Be well!
Nancy/Rascal

@rascal1 I’m sorry you are going through so much pain for so long. I can understand why that would cause depression. I hope a resolution can be found very soon.
JK

@anncgrl : I’m a day late, had not checked this topic for a few days. Hope the surgery went well, and that you enjoyed the nerve block while it lasted. Regarding clothing: lose, front button or front zip items are easiest. I only had shoulder “repair” surgeries, not replacement, but some of the limitations I think are similar. Big t-shirts also work, if you know the trick: first “open” the top of your sling while resting your arm on a pillow or your lap, so it’s stable. Slip your right hand/arm into the sleeve, pulling the whole t-shirt, bunched up, all the way to your shoulder. Pull over head next. Re-secure sling. Put left arm through other armhole, and pull down. Sounds more complicated than it is, really. By the second surgery I had it down pat. And for bra’s: forget the front opening ones. Just pick one of your more casual, looser, older ones. Lay it around your waist, sitting down, with the hooks in front of your stomach. Close the hooks (since your hands will be in or near your lap, that is ok even with the sling). Use your good arm to turn the bra around so it is facing the correct way, and inch it up. Gently loop the bra strap over the “bad” shoulder (sling also needs to loosened or off while supporting arm, for a few seconds), follow suit with the good arm. Adjust and ‘tuck in” as necessary. Caution: I have no idea how big and where exactly the scar(s) from shoulder replacement are located - mine were just 3 small incisions, so you may not be able to wear a bra for a while. However, the technique is still helpful for later in your recovery, since it will be a long time until you can get your arms behind your back.

I am weeks out and have pain. only home exercises, told could work at 6 weeks, I cook and need to lift 10 pounds and beable to use both arms. I willpray for you

I have had reverse shoulder replacement surgeries for both shoulders. There used to be Online comments on this procedure.

Good afternoon @basslakebabe19 and welcome @hbartels. Yes, there is quite a bit of info on reverse shoulder replacements as well. Let me see what I can find. In the meantime, there are some meaningful posts on this page. May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

I have had reverse shoulder replacement surgery on both shoulders at Mayo, MN. The orthopedic shoulder Doctor does great work. Dr. Sperling

Greetings @wwill, I am wondering, did you have your shoulder replacement in April? How is it doing? How are you doing? May you safe and protected.
Chris

I have had three reverse shoulder surgeries ( one had to be redone— my fault) . I’m doing fine now. The shoulders are not totally normal like before, but they are pain free and allow me to do many everyday tasks now except “ backcomb” the cowlick in the back of my head. I can even swing dance a bit! It takes lots of PT to regain strength and range of motion. I worked on it religiously for a few months. I am pleased overall with the results. Mayo-Rochester has an outstanding shoulder surgeon. I am 77, by the way. Younger people might recover faster.