Reverse shoulder replacement

@basslakebabe19, Good morning, I have had a reverse shoulder replacement after 2 attempts at repair including a cadaver graft. It completely eradicated all pain. What a gift! My surgeon prepared me well and I followed the physical therapy schedule religiously including the at home routine. For me the only downside was the fact that my right arm was a couple of inches longer than my left arm. So....I learned to use my left arm for many tasks. That has resulted in weakness from lack of use on the right side. #2 was airport security. I never make it through the big machine and then must endure some pretty invasive pat downs. Sometimes my carry-on is examined very thoroughly. Be free of suffering and full of joy today. Chris

@artscaping Good morning Chris I was interested in learning about your replacement and airport The Dr gave me cards to carry even when I had cataract .I already had one from my heart surgery Didn't the Dr give you any card to carry for airport security?

@lioness Hi there. Unfortunately, the TSA no longer accepts the cards. They were being counterfeited. So, I got a Global Access card. That has Pre-check guaranteed. So that means I am a trusted traveler. Still, if you go through the big machine....you are now in the suspicious group. What got me last time was body lotion. Many lotions have an ingredient that they say sets off the machine. After being “caught” with a zipper in my jeans, I wore palazzo pants with no zipper. That didn’t make a difference because I was patted down to find what they suspected was a hidden zipper. Several of my pat downs have been more than flagrantly invasive. And everything I have needs to be wiped for gunpowder or something that can explode. Travel is on the back burner for a while, Be safe and protected from harm today. Chris

@artscaping Oh wow I haven't flown in awhile I don't think I will either .I didn't know the cards are no longer exceptable good to know thanks. Have a great pain free day. Linda aka lioness

Thanks, Chris! I have had three regular surgeries, but all eventually failed. It can't wait to end the pain. Will be needing lots of help for Six weeks.

Hi there I’m just 1month ago reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Arm still in a sling but now able to take my arm out of the sling and do a few exercises. Still a long way to go.

@basslakebabe, First of all, you will have lots of cheerleaders here at Connect. And I would be willing to bet you will get support from others, I especially liked the support that meant No Cooking. Let me introduce @johnbishop, he just had a knee replacement. He shared his experience with us and the members here checked in frequently to let him know we were following his recovery progress.

One good thing......I learned to use my left hand well, even for writing. Quite ambidextrous actually. So there just may be a prize at the end of a surgical journey in addition to the big one......PAIN FREE!

Word of caution, it is illegal to drive with a sling, at least in CA. You may want to check with your surgeon. BTW, there is a Basslake in CA. Would that be yours? Be happy today. Chris

Hi @basslakebabe19 there is another active discussion on reverse shoulder replacement that you may be interested in joining here:

> Groups > Joint Replacements > Reverse shoulder replacement
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/

You might also be interested in an article I found about successful outcomes here:

What is a Successful Outcome Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty?
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892087/

Dear Chris, I am suppose to have a reverse shoulder replacement in a month. I am very apprehensive. Were you in much pain the few weeks after surgery? Did you have a hard time adjusting to an artificial joint. Any information would be helpful?

d@jaguar, Good evening. So, next month you plan to have a reverse shoulder replacement. Have you seen a video or other images of a "reverse" procedure? My surgeon sat and watched one with me. He also had an engineer from the manufacturer in the OR during the surgery.

My apprehensions were somewhat relieved when I was greeted by everyone in the OR. They called me by name and told me how they would be assisting. I also was in so much pain that I was probably more apprehensive about it not working than about the post-surgery issues.

Actually, the pain was not that bad. My best friend showed up at the house, jumped in bed with me and took over. She had me out walking around the block the day after I came home. The arm rested comfortably in a large supportive sling.

I don't think PT was recommended for a couple of weeks. However, I did have an ice machine that ran into the area and kept it very cool. That is a must. Sometimes your PT has an extra in his/her studio. My insurance company authorized the purchase of the machine and it was truly a godsend.

Showering was a bit tricky so my visiting nurse helped me figure that all out. I think by day 4 or 5 I even went out to dinner .... a brief dinner but at least I was out. I must admit that I do not remember severe pain just the usual after surgery pain. As soon as the healing started I was on my way and so grateful that the intense pre-surgery pain was gone for good.

I have never had pain in that shoulder since the surgery. I have limited use of it because it isn't lined up like the other shoulder and arm. The arm is 2 inches longer than my other arm. And since eating with a fork isn't "pretty" I tend to use my left hand for most tasks.

If you are into doing yoga and half push-ups, you might find it a bit clumsy but never painful. Let me know how it goes. I will be watching for your message. My very best in health to you. Chris