Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

He went over my exercises with me and changed how I was doing the pendulums. Gave me some tips for showering: bending over to reach underarm. Drying is challenging. Putting the towel over the unaffected arm and basically air drying and patting the back as best you can. Use a reacher when necessary. Pat my affected arm to dry. I had been showering for a few days before I saw him and was doing okay. Have hand bars in my shower and a hand held shower. Don't rush things. Take things easy. He's going to discharge me Monday. He called back after visit today to say my doctor has written an order that I can stop wearing the brace. Hooray! Haven't done much cooking. Friends have been providing meals. I have been so fortunate.

After an unsuccessful surgery in May, last Friday, 10/9/20, I had total reverse should replacement. Went home the same day with a nerve block catheter in my neck. I've taken a meloxicam daily for pain and inflammation, but pretty much nothing else. The OT had me doing over 1200 repetitions of pendulums and arm movements a day.( If I did her maximum suggestion) .. I talked to the surgeon who agreed that seemed a bit much. Currently doing 120 reps, 40 0ther reps with hand/arm at 90 degrees 3 times a day so over 500, but it seems very doable. So far no pain, but I just shut off the catheter as it shouldn't stay in the body much longer. We will see what happens then. Currently I'm sleeping pretty well, icing often. An interesting side note, and one I expected.... my arm is now bout 2 inches longer than my left arm. Can't help but be useful for something..... 🙂 Anxious to get started on PT. Plan on wearing the brace pretty much 24/7 for 3 weeks. Hopefully I can take it off then, but we will see what X-rays and doctor say. If ANYONE is going in for any type of shoulder surgery, I highly recommend the nerve block catheter and can talk to anyone about it. I knew what to expect so asked the Doc for more topical and pain med before inserting the block. It really helped and 6 days post op, still almost pain free. Hard to care for yourself, but I happen to have won the lottery on husbands. He's taking great care of me. Let me know how you all are doing? Sally

After an unsuccessful surgery in May, last Friday, 10/9/20, I had total reverse should replacement. Went home the same day with a nerve block catheter in my neck. I've taken a meloxicam daily for pain and inflammation, but pretty much nothing else. The OT had me doing over 1200 repetitions of pendulums and arm movements a day.( If I did her maximum suggestion) .. I talked to the surgeon who agreed that seemed a bit much. Currently doing 120 reps, 40 0ther reps with hand/arm at 90 degrees 3 times a day so over 500, but it seems very doable. So far no pain, but I just shut off the catheter as it shouldn't stay in the body much longer. We will see what happens then. Currently I'm sleeping pretty well, icing often. An interesting side note, and one I expected.... my arm is now bout 2 inches longer than my left arm. Can't help but be useful for something..... 🙂 Anxious to get started on PT. Plan on wearing the brace pretty much 24/7 for 3 weeks. Hopefully I can take it off then, but we will see what X-rays and doctor say. If ANYONE is going in for any type of shoulder surgery, I highly recommend the nerve block catheter and can talk to anyone about it. I knew what to expect so asked the Doc for more topical and pain med before inserting the block. It really helped and 6 days post op, still almost pain free. Hard to care for yourself, but I happen to have won the lottery on husbands. He's taking great care of me. Let me know how you all are doing? Sally

I need to have the same procedure done, but scared to death about the pain, I had rotator cuff repair and it was the worst pain i ever had, now they say i need a reverse shoulder replacement!! please keep us updated on your progress. it would be a great help...hope all goes well and you keep up the good progress......

I am having total right shoulder replacement on 6/23/2022. I will be happy to let people know the pain levels

Good morning @starfirey2k and @barocco. I have had a reverse should replacement. I must tell you that while it appears that this surgery will be very painful because they are working with so many areas........and replacing existing elements......it is not excruciating and can be handled with Dilaudid....or another strong opioid. I say Dilaudid because it is the only one I can tolerate.

My surgeon and anesthetist actually came to my room to make sure I was comfortable. I slept pretty well except that the bandaged shoulder took up a lot of space. I went home with nominal pain and was able to go out to dinner with friends the second night at home.

Ice is the solution. You can have an ice machine that runs ice-cold water itself. Or you can put frozen water bottles in the ice chest and use it that way.

Another must-do......stay ahead of the pain with your ice and pain meds. Don't wait until you are uncomfortable.

Good luck.....let us know how we can help.

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

I am having total right shoulder replacement on 6/23/2022. I will be happy to let people know the pain levels