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Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Posted by basslakebabe19 @basslakebabe19, Feb 17, 2020

Last week, I had a reverse shoulder replacement procedure on my left shoulder. It was very painful the first day. After that, it feels pretty darn good!

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ltsally | @ltsally | Oct 14, 2020
In reply to @gail922 "He went over my exercises with me and changed how I was doing the pendulums. Gave..." + (show)
@gail922

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.

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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

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2 replies
starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Oct 14, 2020
In reply to @ltsally "After an unsuccessful surgery in May, last Friday, 10/9/20, I had total reverse should replacement. Went..." + (show)
@ltsally

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

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sounds like you are doing all the right things, will follow along as I am near the edge of having the same done. wishing you a speedy recovery.....

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ltsally | @ltsally | Oct 14, 2020

Will you be having reverse shoulder replacement? Has your surgeon mentioned a nerve block catheter? Good luck.

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starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | Oct 14, 2020

really do not know any of the details yet, still trying to make and educated decision on this procedure.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @ltsally "After an unsuccessful surgery in May, last Friday, 10/9/20, I had total reverse should replacement. Went..." + (show)
@ltsally

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

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HI there Sally, @itsally. Welcome home! It sounds like you had a successful experience. You sound very chipper and ready to start the rehab all over again. So....you grew 2 inches also. I don't know why they can't get it just a bit closer to reality so you don't have your elbow in someone's face when you eat an ice cream cone.

Here's some more good news.......you have probably gained 2 lbs. Just teasing! That's how much the apparatus weighs....or so my surgeon told me.

Tell me more about the nerve block. How is it attached? I had a nerve block device of some kind a couple of months ago when I had the tumor removed on my sternum.

And the only mothering I will do today is to suggest that you keep the ice going and take it easy on the exercises. Since you just had surgery a few months ago there will be some scar tissue and other areas that are still healing.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.

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ltsally | @ltsally | Oct 16, 2020

Nerve Block Catheter... It is the most amazing thing ever.... you get EXTRA pain killer in your neck... The Anesthesiologist puts the Nerve Block Catheter in. I literally had the block in my neck from Friday until the following Thursday. You control how much med goes into the nerve. I left the hospital at a level 6 (0 - 14 is the range) When I got home I lowered it to a 4 so I could get more time out of the nerve block... I put it down to 2..... Bottom line... For a total reverse shoulder replacement surgery with pretty much NO PAIN 8 days post surgery... pretty amazing.

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barocco | @barocco | May 31, 2021
In reply to @starfirey2k "I need to have the same procedure done, but scared to death about the pain, I..." + (show)
@starfirey2k

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......

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I am having total right shoulder replacement on 6/23/2022. I will be happy to let people know the pain levels
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3 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | May 31, 2021
In reply to @barocco "I am having total right shoulder replacement on 6/23/2022. I will be happy to let people..." + (show)
@barocco

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

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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

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1 reply
starfirey2k | @starfirey2k | May 31, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Good morning @starfirey2k and @barocco. I have had a reverse should replacement. I must tell you..." + (show)
@artscaping

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

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Wow, thank you for all the info, so glad to hear that you are doing just fine. I am going to try and get it done this year, not sure when, but you have gave me the incentive. be well, stay safe.

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mashelly | @mashelly | Jun 3, 2021
In reply to @barocco "I am having total right shoulder replacement on 6/23/2022. I will be happy to let people..." + (show)
@barocco

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

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Barocco, I'm having total reverse shoulder replacement, June 15, 2021, Yes,so afraid of the pain to be, I wish you well on yours! Kathy

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