Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Range of motion?

Talk to your surgeon, but you just wear it around your neck on a cord, twist the dial to up or lower meds...when it is near empty, you would need help just pulling it out. No worries and so worth it.

Had a reverse total shoulder in 2019 was given nerve block just before being put to sleep.. used very few narcotics post op my saving device was the ice machine I was sent home with (cryocuff machine) I had a great surgeon and a great physical therapist it’s a long journey but def with it as I’m not in pain all day every day anymore. Therapist used a muscle stimulator and eventually dry needling. He told me to keep up the exercises for ever. It took about 1yr and half to get to some normalcy. Usually see him once every 4-6 weeks for dry needling if I overdue it.
So here we are in 2021 and had aTKR IN May by the same surgeon and have my same therapist. Hoping this turns out as well. Good luck

Thank you so much for sharing your recovery from total reverse shoulder replacement...the procedure recommended by my surgeon. I'm feeling better about the surgery and am more optimistic. Thanks again.

I am older than dirt and dealing with osteoarthritis in my left shoulder and am refusing the cortisone shots and the replacement surgery....doing rehab 2x a week with a pro and it seems to be improving...when medicare stops paying I will just keep on out of pocket

..I have been a zumba instructor for 9 years so have kept myself in good shape which I think is aiding in my recovery....I no longer instruct but I try to do a class at least 5x a week ( very carefully, back row, arms at side) and I doubt I will ever teach again but I am determined I will do what cardio I can and do the home exercises faithfully.

@dedehans
I need bilateral shoulder replacements. At least that is what all the doctors say but I disagree and refuse to have it done. I am tired of one doctor saying “your range of motion will be worse, another saying it will improve. One says pain will increase another says it will be better. Another refused due to prior surgeries and other damage from so many dislocations.
I would like to have more of a consensus before I agree to any surgery. I can handle the pain so far and only have subluxations at this time.
Why did you refuse surgery?
Good luck with your therapy.
Jake

Hi Jake...I refused b/c 1. I can live with a little pain and 2. Know of too many people who have had the surgery and it didn't work. For the moment I am sticking to PT 2x a week ...insurance covered....doing exercises here at home and right now it IS getting better....so no surgery for me at this time...

I did all I could till Had end stage glenohumeral joint and ligament in both shoulders We did left first... I am right handed.Some issues with deltoid but doing well next shoulder when left is stronger

I hope you continue to do well. I will keep everyone posted on my progress or regress just so we can share what works, when and how and how easy it is to ruin a day's progress.....did that by reaching up for a casserole in the microwave above the stove.....yup.

I am about 8 weeks out from reverse TSR and am very pleased with the results. No more nagging constant arthritic pain, day and night. I have only a few more scheduled PT appointments left, and am now doing shoulder strengthening weight machine exercises, and have started band exercises at home. My therapist feels that I can soon continue on my own, with a scheduled visit only every two weeks so he can monitor my progress and keep me from getting lax about exercising.

Before surgery, my right arm had very limited range of movement, some days I could barely lift a coffee cup, all showering and hair washing was done with my left hand only. Combed hair with my left hand, just about impossible to use a hair dryer or curling iron. And the constant low level arthritis pain that would sometimes become sharper.

I still have a way to go in my recovery of strength and have limited movement in some directions, all of which should improve with more time and exercise. But even if I don't ever improve above where I am now, the surgery would have been well worth it. I knew of two people personally that had successful TSR's and of another in-law of a friend that had both shoulders done, so I had high hopes before surgery that mine would work out, and it has.

Hi there @ddsack A wonderful post that I have been waiting to read. Thanks for the update. It sounds as if you had an excellent surgeon, an accurate diagnosis, and are now engaged in developing strength and mobility. You didn't mention an ice machine. Did you use one? How was your sleep? Did you use a wedge or other bolster?

Another question.....how long did you use the immobilizer? Have you been able to drive your car yet?

Congratulations......keep it up and don't forget to post an update as you experience more of your encouraging recovery.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.......
Chris