Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions

Hello @anncgrl, this a great topic. You may notice, I edited your title to, "Shoulder Replacement: Post-surgery suggestions," to help members focus specifically on the often unasked questions in regards to any type of surgery, I've made it through surgery, now what!?

I'd like to invite some members who have discussed shoulder replacement to see if they'd share their clothing, sleeping and any other random advice that could be given to make recovery easier. @rascal1, @artscaping, @casper15, @jaguar (also may be interested to learn some tips for an upcoming replacement as well), @mimi99, and @edithmiller have all discussed some type of shoulder replacement and may be able to offer some insight on what to do after your surgery.

@anncgrl, I had a full rotator repair in August of 2018. I am not positive what commonalities are shared between a rotator repair and a replacement, but I was in a immobilizer sling for 6 weeks. I bought loose fitting t-shirts that were 1-2 sizes too big. I typically wear large and would often throw on an XL or even XXL depending on brand. I wasn't winning any fashion contests, but the large size of it made it much easier to essentially just throw over my head with my good arm. I also was told that going up one size of shirt and having it be a button up shirt would make things easier as well. I also made sure I had things of any real weight (like big plates or bowls or cooking utensils like pans, etc.) were moved to lower (eye level at the highest) shelves as you will likely be grabbing things one-handed for at least a few weeks. Try to picture everything you do on a daily basis but doing so with one hand, anything that you deem would be difficult or too heavy or out of reach, you may find it useful to relocate for the short time you will be in your sling. Sleeping was the hardest thing, regardless of any preparations. A bed was out of the question for at least a week for me, so hopefully you have a recliner you like! Although, this was all for a rotator repair and I think you may start PT faster with a replacement than with a rotator repair.

@anncgrl, is there anything other than clothing that you are hoping to learn before your surgery?

@anncgrl, @JustinMcClanahan, Good afternoon. So tomorrow is the day for your shoulder replacement. For me, this was an amazingly trouble-free recovery with welcome results. First and foremost, I had a totally dedicated surgeon who was just there for me. Sat and watched a video of the surgery with me. Answered every question himself. Was sitting in my room, the evening after the surgery, just to look in and say hello. Gave me his cell phone # in case I was uncomfortable about anything. The anesthesiologist paid me a visit too. Pretty soon, I was feeling like royalty. Mine was a reverse shoulder replacement, also called a Delta Shoulder System because the tear, tagged as the Grand Canyon of holes, was irreparable after a fall down the mountain.

Here are some hints and possibilities for after surgery that worked for me. Since this is summer you won't need outerwear, you might have a few poncho or tunic type wraps without sleeves. They work well over a roomy button-up shirt of some kind. Elastic waist or pull-on pants without a zipper. Sweat pants also work. Shoes...slip-ons with no laces were best for me.

For sleeping, someone tucked me in at night and built up pillows on one side so that my body would be straight and the sling was pretty comfy. I wouldn't refuse some sleep aid medication for the first week or so. Showers were a little tough the first few days. I had a plastic bag that went over the sling and could be sealed at the top. My best friend surprised me by coming to stay with me for 4-5 days. She washed my hair, helped with dressing and made me get out and walk a bit every day to keep my energy up. You may want a movable shower head that can be held by someone who can rinse you off. Sitting on a shower seat that someone loaned me was a good idea. You can wrap yourself in a bath towel and sort of drip dry or let someone help you with that and the hairdryer if you use one. I had my hair cut very short before the surgery day.

For eating, I just learned to use my left hand. I was tidy enough to be able to go out to dinner in a few days. You may want to practice "mindful" eating to slow things down a bit. To this day, I use my left hand for eating and I can do pretty well writing. Shuffling cribbage cards took a bit of time. Once you learn what you are capable of doing, it gets easier. I also checked in with my Physical Therapist before trying to do much of anything. I remember to this day what my surgeon told me. "Don't fall. I can't fix you."

And my PS is this. Please make sure of the road rules for driving with a sling. In CA it is a violation complete with a fine and a trip to driving school. If you have Siri on your iPhone or other devices you can let her make your calls for you.

The big prize at the end.....absolutely no pain, none, nada. I was in heaven and still am. Best of luck. Let us know how it goes. Chris

@anncgrl Good luck with your shoulder surgery. From what I’ve heard recovery is much easier from that than it is from TKR. Hopefully thIS will be easy for you.

@artscaping Chris, it sounds like you had amazing doctors! You don’t see that much these days. That’s great that you are pain-free now.
JK

So can anyone tell me what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery

Hello @trapper1968, welcome to Connect. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion in Joint Replacements titled "Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions." I'd like to invite @mimi99, @basslakebabe19, @wwill, @anncgrl, @rascal1 to this discussion to share their experience with shoulder replacement and perhaps some tips for recovery and general every day advice post-surgery.

I'd also like to invite @aliceholeman, @mare5897 who have also recently joined Connect and talked about undergoing a recent shoulder replacement surgery.

@trapper1968, are there any specific questions you have about post-surgery? Recovery, rehab, pain, PT, and general tips around the house are all things to think about. Are some of these things what you are wondering about?

I recommend a top that buttons as it makes it easier to put on and remove. I think the pain after a week or so is less than rotator repairs, although initially very painful from bone being removed. After six weeks, I felt pretty good, The shoulder is weak and probably takes longer to rehab than rotator repairs. I slept in a recliner for almost 6 weeks.

Chris: loved your helpful suggestions. I “only” had rotator surgery on each shoulder, but most things applied then as well. But tell me: what in the world have you had done to your body? I think TKR, at least 1, sounds like 1 shoulder (or more?), and there were some other niggling or not so niggling health issues that came up in different posts. Are you a bionic woman by now?

Anncgrl here ! Thank you for all the replies. My Total shoulder replacement surgery was on July 30th. It went great and I have had minimal problems. The main thing that caused me an issue was the death of my husband on July 17th. He died from complications of frontal temporal dementia. I was his caregiver for a very long time. I made the choice to proceed with the surgery. I figured if I was already suffering so much then I might as well get the shoulder issue done. I am currently in physical therapy and doing well. The entire process has been far better than I expected. I stayed with friends for several weeks and I appreciate their care and generosity. I had a total knee replacement several years ago also with very little problems. I did develop a blood clot about a year after that surgery and have since read that can be a result of knee replacement. At this moment I am not aware of other surgeries and am so grateful for good doctors and caring friends. My word of advice: Do what the doctors tell you from start to finish. Also, I got awesome videos of how to dress and sleep from youtube

Hello all - it has been six months since I fractured my shoulder in a fall and had partial replacement surgery. I guess I am reaching out to vent/share because I feel totally alone on this. I'm 58 and never had a broken bone prior to this. I tried to sleep in a recliner/couch for the first four months and was lucky to get more than two hours consecutive sleep. Once I got out of the sling I gradually weaned myself back to the bed but still only 2-3 hours max sleep even with Ambien. The biggest thing is it was my left shoulder, the side that I slept on for over 40 years!
I went to PT for approx. 25 visits and have about 105 degrees of mobility with my arm straight out. I still have significant pain and swelling on top of my collar bone when I try to use my arm to much.
I have been taking Norco 10.325 1/2 a pill every 12 hours and about the 9 hour mark it was almost unbearable. Everyone says I should not be having this much pain still, something must be wrong, get a second opinion, etc. I ran out of pain meds 4 days ago and have been taking Aleve with little effect. I feel like I could do much better with two pills a day, one every 12 hours. But I don't want to get addicted to the pain meds. I have a doctor appoint today but I don't know if they will give me another prescription.
I have read online that it takes as long as a year or more to recover from this type of surgery. So I don't understand why everyone is expecting me to be back to normal and pain free.
Thank you for reading and listening.

Here's my last xrays which look wonderful according to my surgeon.