Anyone had shoulder replacement at Mayo Clinic?

Hi @marlynn - Welcome to Connect! I haven't had shoulder replacement, but there are several members here who have... I'm going to tag @edithmiller @seniorsoftball and @mimi99. To see if they might have some insight.

Here are some discussions on Connect you might want to check out:
– Shoulder Arthritis Options https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-arthritis-options/
– Shoulder Replacement Surgery, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-replacement-surgery-1/
– Reverse shoulder replacement, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/
– Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears or Arthritis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-rotator-cuff-tears/

When are you planning to have your surgery? Are you have serious pain or limited motion - or both? I'm wishing you the best!

Thank you for the links. I haven't made plans as yet, just considering. I'm 76 years old, in good health. i've had a diagnosis and a second opinion both concluded nothing but shoulder replacement would help. I cannot do my own hair, have trouble putting on anything with sleeves, and sometimes (not always) I'm in constant pain especially if I sit still for too long & depending on the weather. Arthritis is taking over my body including my hands. I've had two successful knee replacements. One Doctor predicted trouble ahead with my back; so far once-a-year shots have helped that. No problem with hips but do feel twinges there once in awhile I do the recumbent cycle for my knees and walk on the treadmill 5X a week, and do very light weights, not free weights. I take Tylenol for pain 2-3X a day. It takes the edge off the pain. And I'm fatigued a great deal BUT I've been active all my life in my family, community and church and want to continue to do so. Both Doctors and physical therapists I've spoken to emphasize how painful shoulder replacement is, worse, they say than knee replacement. So, working myself up to shoulder replacement has been an uphill battle. I will go to Mayo Minnesota or to a clinic in Dallas four hours drive from my home. I would be most grateful for anyone's observations and comments. Thank you!

Hi, marilynn. I had reverse shoulder replacement 6 months ago at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Dr. Sperling was great. The recovery was/is difficult, but pain was not a big problem. My shoulder is my dominant arm, so having it in the immobilizer 24/7 for 6 weeks was no picnic. Also, there were passive exercises 2-3 times a day for the 6 weeks. My daughter had to manipulate my arm for those exercises, about 15 minutes each set. At 6 months out, in what my surgeon says is a 2 year recovery, I have some aching at times, but no bad pain. I don't need help with my clothes or hair and I can vacuum, sweep...things I had difficulty with before the surgery. I have been limited to lifting 10 lbs, but can now work up gradually to 25 lbs. Overall, I am very happy that I had the surgery, even though I was ready to burn that immobilizer after those 6 weeks.

4 months ago I was told I neded shoulder surgery and probably replacement before long. I am 68 years oild and in good health. Half of my right shoulder rotator cuff was beat up badly while the rotator cuff in the left shoulder was discentegrated as well as 2 of the tendons partially disconnected. I was down to about 5-10% function of my left arm/shoulder and about 50% in the right. I could not get my billfold out of my back pocket; I could not put a coat on by myself; I could not lift my left arm up high enough by itself in a shower to be able to wash my under arms. etc. After doing research I decided to have a stem cell procedure. That was October 30th. Today, my right shoulder is 98/99% and my left is 70%+. I can take my left arm above my head by itself, I can put my own coat on, all the things I normally could do except currently I can not lift much weight above my shoulder with the left arm. It is still getting better. I would highly recommend looking into a stem cell procedure at the mayo clinic. Mine was not done at the mayo. The biggest problem is insurance nor medicare cover the procedure. My procedure for both shoulders was a total of $3500. I understand some insurance companies cover the procedure if it is part of a test approved by the FDA.

Thank you for sharing your experience with the stem cell procedure. Your condition could be mine and I was contemplating shoulder replacement. This is very encouraging and I will check it out.

@mimi99, although I did not have a shoulder replacement, I did undergo a full rotator repair in June of 2018. I relate to what you said, "I am very happy that I had the surgery, even though I was ready to burn that immobilizer after those 6 weeks." Ditto. What was more frustrating was that because the shoulder atrophied so much, I still periodically needed the immobilizer for comfort for a few weeks after I was able to stop wearing it. You learn to love what you hate, right?

Looking for information on shoulder replacement surgery

Hello @gail922, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that we merged your discussion with the existing discussion - Anyone had shoulder replacement at Mayo Clinic? where you can meet other members who have had or are looking for information on shoulder replacement surgery. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of the email notification it will take you to the discussion.

Here are several related discussions:
– Shoulder Arthritis Options https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-arthritis-options/
– Shoulder Replacement Surgery, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-replacement-surgery-1/
– Reverse shoulder replacement, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/
– Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears or Arthritis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-rotator-cuff-tears/

@wwill, @hbartels, @anncgrl,@rascal1 and others may be able to share their experience with you. Have you been told you need shoulder replacement surgery or are you thinking about setting up an appointment for one?