Shoulder Replacement: Still having pain

Wow. So sorry to hear about the ongoing pain many continue to have. I had reverse revision shoulder replacement 4-1/2 years ago. Was kept only 1 night in recovery. I had a nerve block done during surgery and then a second one done by the anesthesiologist the next morning prior to being sent home. They worked great, but once worn off i was on oral pain meds like clockwork along with the circulating cold pump to manage pain for about a week. Then switched to ibuprofen, did physical therapy with minimal discomfort. After about 3 months, I was pretty much pain free with good ROM and strength and done well since until recent onset of dull achy pain for reasons unclear. May have overdone with some lifting as I'm hoping I havent pushed the limit of the replacement hardware or procedure. Curious if anyone knows in general what is considered the "lifespan" of a replacement?

@jerryrk Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

That's a great question that members like @martydav @cookiegnias @colski @basslakebabe19 @wildebjef @anncgrl @robinsod @wildebjef may be able to help answer.

May I ask if your surgeon may be able to give you a ballpark answer to this question?

I was told ten years.

Well, here is what I was told about TKR. If you choose to take care of your replacement, my surgeon told me it will last a lifetime. If I continued to hike uphill in the mountains it will also last a lifetime. However, if you choose to walk down hill, it will last about 5 years.
There you go...it’s up to you.
May you be safe and protected.
Chris

Dull achy pain yes I know well i am 2 yrs and a month post op RTS. After 9 months of pt and still having that issue I go back to the therapist for dry needling, which helps get rid of that pain am down to once a month now when I use to go every week. I believe for me it’s cause i am overdoing or doing things I shouldn’t be doing. It also is a tremendous help to keep up my exercise regimen with pulleys bands and weights and for me to do them properly.

I have been taking prescribed opioids for several years. Two hip replacements, one rotator cuff surgery and one shoulder replacement. I can't take NSAIDS but do find that opioids help. I use very carefully and cut back, sometimes completely, whenever pain diminishes. I have not found them to be addictive. Even have an unfilled prescription. Perhaps I'm just lucky.

@lopus: I think most people who are prescribed opioids for short term acute pain will appreciate the pain relief, but really dread the light headedness, constipation, and limitations (no driving, e.g.). It’s not like you get a “high”, you just get to finally manage some sleep and feel some relief. I always tapered off long before my allotted pill count ran out. And regarding long term use for chronic pain, the potential for abuse may be higher. But still, as long as one plans to lead a reasonable normal life, you will limit the opioids to a strictly necessary basis. They are helpful, but no fun.

Agree, no fun at all and do feel that though constipation isn't a problem, that I would feel better without them. Not sure but think the one side affect is a certain dullness of brain, could of course be the result of the general anesthetics, or...could just be incipient senility. 🙁

I had reverse shoulder replacement March 18th. It seems there is some type of problem because I am dealing with terrible pain and have not slept in weeks. I went back to my surgeon will be a week ago tomorrow. He saw something he did not like on the xray and ordered an MRI. I found out today that will be after Wednesday for scheduling. Gave me a script for Meloxicam and told me to take Tylenol in the afternoon. Nothing for pain. Ugh

No more PT until after the MRI.

Good afternoon @elainepow1. And I think this is still within the Welcome period so please let me tell you that I am glad to see you on Connect. One reason is that I am also a reverse shoulder replacement patient. My first one was 10 years ago and it appears that I will soon need to have the other one done.

I want to make sure that I have interpreted your words accurately. You have not slept in weeks. It has been about 7 weeks since your surgery. Do you mean you cannot sleep because of a high level of pain? That would certainly be frightening. You need sleep and rest to heal. And yet.... 7 weeks is not a long time to recover from this major surgery. Have you been taking the Tylenol as requested? Since Tylenol is a frequent post-surgery OTC medication for pain during recovery, I am wondering why it hasn't worked for you.

And secondly, I am wondering if you have started PT? Usually, you start with shoulder swirls, gently, gently. And the other follow-up that really helps is an ICE Machine, used as frequently as needed. Were you able to secure and use some form of ice therapy?

Are you living alone Elaine? I remember how meaningful it was to have my friend GiGi stop by every day or so to check on me. She is an RN and was quite helpful.....especially with reminders for good post-surgery care.

And I have a couple more questions.......are you wearing an immobilizer during the day and night? I know they can be cumbersome and yet.......for the protection of your shoulder, they work well. Sometimes at night.....you need to create a special sleeping arrangement with a wedge, a t-shirt put on without using the armholes to keep your arm against your body, or just sitting/leaning back in a recliner.

I hope you will get some answers this week from your surgeon. Would you please let me know the results of your visit. I am not a medical provider just a caring mentor who has been there. When you respond on Connect.....many, many people benefit from your experience.

I look forward to your response and to knowing the MRI findings.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris