Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

I just had my reverse TSR done last Thursday, Oct 21, and am very pleased with my progress so far. I was intubated for the anesthesia, so my throat was sore and scratchy, but am mostly over that now. I felt no pain after the surgery or the first couple of post surgery days. I got Toradol via IV drip while in the hospital (came home the next day) and Tramadol to take at home. I quit the Tramadol the 2nd day home, because I hate the side effects, and didn't want to take laxatives for longer than to get the first bowel movements since laxatives give me terrible stomach cramps. I am alternating taking prescription Naproxen and 650 mg Acetaminophin. I had a med schedule designed for me, but due to sleeping and naps, I've adapted times to what works for me. My pain level is still very low, maybe 2 or 3 out of 10. It may fluctuate from a bit of itching or burning to low level aching, but at worst is less than my original arthritis shoulder pain. I have the Tramadol and Oxycodone in reserve, but I doubt I will need to use them.

I have been doing my hand and pendulum arm exercises three to five times a day. Real physical therapy will not start for two weeks. I really like the immobilizer that they gave me instead of a traditional sling. I can easily disconnect the wrist velcro from the waist if I need to do some small movements. I didn't think I could use a mouse, but with the wrist disconnected, I can rest my lower arm on my computer table and type and use the mouse. It's nice to have my husband around in case I need help with something, but it's pretty rare that I can't find a way to do it myself. I was already used to washing hair and showering with mostly just my left hand. With big loose tops with wide necks, I can dress myself, no need for a bra, since the immobilizer waist strap covers most of that up. Compared to my two TKR's (knee) I have had less pain and also better post-op sleep, I'd say this was definitely an easier surgery for me.

Good afternoon, I read your story. I had my left shoulder done at the end of 2018. I had no pain at all. I was surprised, I was expecting a lot of pain and I kept waiting but no pain. Now it has been almost 3 yeas. I did my exercises and PT. Everything seemed fine. But now my range of motion is not good. I can not reach behind my back or over to the other arm. I have to use my other arm to push my arm up to put glasses in the cupboard. I do get a shot in my shoulder every now and then if the muscles really hurt. Some times my arm feels swollen and I have to rest it. I have been pushing my arms canning and not done yet. I would enjoy to hear as to your progress in the future. I wish you well and stay safe and healthly. KLH

@kilh thank you for the good wishes! I am sorry to hear that it sounds like you are losing your range of motion. I don't know much about what's medically possible joint-wise after a TSR, but could you be experiencing frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis now in your TSR shoulder?

Before I had any right shoulder pain, I went through frozen shoulder which took a couple of years to develop, never did have good behind the back twists with my right arm. Eventually when I could no longer get my hand up to my head to help wash hair, I finally asked to be referred to physical therapy to do something about it. I never felt shoulder pain at that time, just a limited range of movement. I was skeptical that PT would help, because I was an active person so felt that I should be moving my arm enough to keep this from happening. But PT did help by designing exercises that stretched the particular areas, and I got back to about 80% of my range of movement in about 6 weeks. So I'm wondering if there is something PT could do to help you regain some of your range of motion if indeed the problem is adhesive capsulitis.

Thanks for the information. Every time I go back to see the shoulder doc, they take x-rays and tell me all is fine and in the right place. Then he may give me a shot for pain. This helps for a while till I do too much. My muscles are shrinking down so less support. I do not have a lot of strength in my arm anymore. And I am left-handed so this does not help. My right arm is torn also and needs to be replaced but I am not so sure I want another new shoulder.
Glad you got your motion back. I never really got that far to start with. I am not so sure about the RSR. Time will time what I end up doing. Keep in touch as to your progress. Good job and stay healthy. KLH

Hello, I am a veteran of 11 orthopedic surgeries, some of which went flawlessly, others not so well. After dealing with more than one orthopedic surgeon who did x-rays and said "everything looks fine" I realized they are just looking to see if the repair or implant is OK - not at my function.

The next time I heard it, I said "well, obviously, it's not fine, something needs to happen." I got a referral to go back to the physical therapist with my issues. Voila! They did an eval, figured out where the problem was, and created a rehab program for me. After a while, things improved.

I have probably seen 10 orthopedic surgeons in my life, and only one ever showed an exercise, stretch or other strategy to heal or minimize pain. Their main focus is fixing bones and joints. Tha main focus of a PT, on the other hand, is restoring function and use.

Have you considered returning to your PT for help?
Sue

@kilh thank you for the good wishes! I am sorry to hear that it sounds like you are losing your range of motion. I don't know much about what's medically possible joint-wise after a TSR, but could you be experiencing frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis now in your TSR shoulder?

Before I had any right shoulder pain, I went through frozen shoulder which took a couple of years to develop, never did have good behind the back twists with my right arm. Eventually when I could no longer get my hand up to my head to help wash hair, I finally asked to be referred to physical therapy to do something about it. I never felt shoulder pain at that time, just a limited range of movement. I was skeptical that PT would help, because I was an active person so felt that I should be moving my arm enough to keep this from happening. But PT did help by designing exercises that stretched the particular areas, and I got back to about 80% of my range of movement in about 6 weeks. So I'm wondering if there is something PT could do to help you regain some of your range of motion if indeed the problem is adhesive capsulitis.

"You must figure out a good sleep posture…..did you use a wedge?"
@artscaping -

I thought I would have trouble with position because I am a side sleeper with a very flat pillow preference, I don't even need one. I didn't think I wanted to spend a night in our recliner because it does not lay back flat enough for me. Luckily I had a bed wedge that my husband declined to use from a couple of years ago. With one pillow on that, I can sleep ok mostly on my left side. I am not normally a back sleeper, so have to find a fairly small arc of comfort from not quite on my stomach to not quite on my back. I wake up every one to three hours, but that is normal for me, and I usually fall asleep again within 10 minutes. I usually put the ice pack on my shoulder when I go to bed , it thaws and falls off in about the right amount of time, and I put it back in the freezer first time I get up to use the bathroom during the night.

Good afternoon, I read your story. I had my left shoulder done at the end of 2018. I had no pain at all. I was surprised, I was expecting a lot of pain and I kept waiting but no pain. Now it has been almost 3 yeas. I did my exercises and PT. Everything seemed fine. But now my range of motion is not good. I can not reach behind my back or over to the other arm. I have to use my other arm to push my arm up to put glasses in the cupboard. I do get a shot in my shoulder every now and then if the muscles really hurt. Some times my arm feels swollen and I have to rest it. I have been pushing my arms canning and not done yet. I would enjoy to hear as to your progress in the future. I wish you well and stay safe and healthly. KLH

I have some problems, too, with range of motion,but overall. I am so pleased with the outcome that I can’t complain. I can still swing dance because the arm is supported through the various turns, and that really satisfies me.