Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions

@dtwo Thank you for posting this "disappointing" story. My goodness, you have suffered for six months. My experience with a reverse total shoulder replacement had a few wrinkles along the way but nothing like you have told. I had Dilaudid immediately after surgery and the first week I was home. I used the ice machine frequently and tried to stay in the stabilizer sling as much as possible. Sleeping wasn't the comfiest because of the rigidity of the sling.

So tell me, what is partial about the surgery? I have no medical background so I cannot read X-rays or scans. Who is "everyone" mentioned in line 7 of your post? Is it a constant burning pain, or a sharp sudden pain? Are you keeping a journal or at least writing down your experience to give to medical providers? That can be helpful.

What did your surgeon tell you when you relayed the information that you were still in pain 6 months after surgery? I will be adding you to my waiting list which means I am waiting to hear about your appointment. Be pain-free this evening. Chris

Hello Chris,
Thank you for your reply, believe me I'm sorry my story isn't positive.
My surgery was partial in that the socket was supposedly intact, but the ball was shattered. So my implant consists of the ball and the post that goes into my bone. The pain is constant burning and a dull ache deeper.
My surgeon just likes to tell the story of a woman he treated who he saw several years later that had made a remarkable recovery with full range of motion.
My appointment yesterday was with my primary care physician. He basically said "it is what it is" and it was one of the worst breaks he has seen. He said the surgeon did the best he could at putting me back together. According to him my bicep is lower than the right arm and that's not going to change. He also said that swelling on my collar bone is a tendon - you can feel it stretched across the bone. He said in the future I may get some calcification in that area - oh yay!
The "everyone" in my story is basically my friends and family. Certainly they mean well and only want me to get better.
They gave me Dulodid in the emergency room because I was wailing from the pain. I had to wait a week for surgery and during that time everything turned black from the bruising - my arm, even my boob!
I assume your total replacement was a planned event? Maybe that's partially why my results are less than positive, because my surgery was necessitated by this catastrophic event.
I came away from my appointment yesterday with another prescription for the Norco and I got at least 5 hours of good sleep last night.
Again, thank you for reading my story and your reply. 🙂

Good evening dtwo, there is more to your story isn't there? I know that you wanted to get the Norco and I can understand the reasons. I am glad you had 5 hours of sleep. In a way....my reverse shoulder replacement was similar to yours. I fell down the mountain, breaking my elbow in three places and dislocating and deranging my shoulder. The surgery at the time of the accident.....supposedly realigned everything. It didn't. So....like you, I had to wait until the elbow healed and then the shoulder surgeries began.

The insurance company fought me for 2 years. They wouldn't pay for the ambulance. They wouldn't approve an MRI. My surgeon actually slid down the wall in the hallway with his phone and sat on the floor to try to talk some sense in them. They wanted pain killers, acupuncture and physical therapy first. Of course, acupuncture worked for only 48 hrs or so. I refused opioids and so the insurance company paid for a repair and when that didn't work, a cadaver graft. There wasn't enough of my tissue to make a connection with the cadaver contribution.

There is more to the story. A reverse shoulder replacement was recommended because mine was trashed. The insurance company said I was too young for approval at 68. They wanted to only do folks in their late 70's or 80's because they didn't want to be responsible for any aftercare issues.

Finally, it was approved and by that time I was jumping for joy. I think my attitude of gratefulness helped with the recovery. And other than being 2 inches longer than my other arm, which keeps me from doing push-ups (thank goodness) I am pain-free and functioning very well.

So now you know why I am not settling in very well with your situation. What happens when the Norco no longer works even after you have increased the dosage. As our bodies adjust to medication dosages, it is often necessary to add more and then more. I don't want to push you to a long-range plan and yet I hope you are able to find a solution that will leave you pain-free and medication free.

So many good thoughts are coming your way. Stay in touch. I have you on my list again.
Be free of suffering tonight. Chris

Hello, all! I signed in and read a few of the latest comments. I have been stunned at how well the shoulder surgery went, the brief period of pain (especially compared to what I anticipated) and how well physical therapy is going. I don't know what to say about a pain that continues after the surgery. I also have had a total knee replacement with pretty much the same story. I know I would seek out another opinion. I live in North Carolina where Duke is considered the absolute best in medical care. As a result, many people will choose to go to Duke for their second opinion. Persistent pain is challenging. Pain management classes are an option. Lack of sleep is a real problem for me. Lack of sleep makes everything more difficult. I am currently trying yet another method to help me develop a sleep pattern. One huge decision on my part has been to practice acceptance of a current situation because I get so angry when my body is sick or hurts. It is very important to practice caution when using sleep medications. Chronic pain sucks and makes decision-making about what to do next far tougher. If available, allow mentors and close friends to help you. Many blessings!

<p>Hi, hoping to get some advice on how people have “survived “ the post op shoulder replacement time. I am 7 days out, doing the few exercises that I have been given at this point. I am normally very active, work full time, enjoy working out and yard work. So, needless to say, this has really put a cramp in my style. I know I need some structure to my day and need to incorporate some reading, ‘down time’ activities. Mood is a bit low now, sleep is very poor as I am normally a stomach or left side sleeper, neither of which I can do. I do have several recliners, but only sleep for short periods as I am not a back sleeper. Does anyone have any recommendations re sleep? Or any words of encouragement would be welcome. Thanks. Sue</p>

@meuniesu welcome to Connect. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion in Joint Replacements group titled "Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions." I'm confident that fellow members who have had a shoulder replacement, like @basslakebabe19 @anncgrl @ellerbracke @artscaping can give you some pointers about how to restructure your normally physical active day and suggest activities to keep you from going stir crazy. Ah, yes, lack of sleep post op. I get that. You need sleep for recovery, but not being a back sleeper, it can be really hard. I'm sure members will have tips for side sleeping too.

Sue, what led to your needing a shoulder replacement? Are you or will you be doing physiotherapy?

I have arthritis, already had 2 arthroscopic procedures to remove bone spurs and buy me some time. Was hoping to do this after I retired, but was unable to wait that long . I currently have OT and PT coming to my house. Will see MD on 9/23 to see where I go from there

Hello @meuniesu, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @colleenyoung and other members. I found a YouTube video that shows some tips on sleeping with a shoulder replacement that you may find helpful.

Post-op shoulder surgery-Sleeping with a sling!:

Thank you so much much appreciated

Day 7