Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Recovery process

Posted by mimi99 @mimi99, Aug 1, 2018

I am scheduled for this surgery in September. I have been putting it off as long as possible, because I am worried about recovery. I don't have a lot of help and am very concerned with how well I will be able to handle daily living activities with the shoulder immobilizer. If anyone has gone through this recovery process, I would appreciate any advice or input you may have.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

@artscaping

@ltsally Thanks for your response, I expected that your shoulder might need a lot of work to keep up with your game. For the rest of your life sounds like a sentence of some kind. I do Yoga every morning and try to walk a mile or two a day along the great Mississippi River. We are putting in a special bridge this spring so we can take the side by side down to the river's edge from our own yard. I am a lot older than you, however. Very proud of you......keep it up. You set a good example.

Would you mind sharing some of your exercises? I am sure others would like to know what worked for you.

May you protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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Here is the list of exercises each day. You can google them and probably see videos of how to do them. Hope this is helpful.

Sally

Exercises
Standing Shoulder Flexion Full Range - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 2 sets
Standing Shoulder Abduction Full Range - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 2 sets
Sleeper Stretch - 2 x daily - 7 x weekly - 3 sets - 30 seconds hold
Prone Shoulder Horizontal Abduction with Thumbs Up - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 3 sets
Prone O Scapular Retraction - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 3 sets - 10 reps
Standing Shoulder Flexion to 90 Degrees with Dumbbells - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 15 reps - 2 sets
Drawing Bow - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 15 reps - 2 sets
Shoulder PNF D2 Flexion - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 2 sets - 10 reps
Standing Single Arm Shoulder PNF D1 Flexion - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 2 sets - 10 reps

Discussed performing above HEP for maintenance daily for 1 year after surgery, then may reduce to 3 x week.

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@ltsally

Here is the list of exercises each day. You can google them and probably see videos of how to do them. Hope this is helpful.

Sally

Exercises
Standing Shoulder Flexion Full Range - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 2 sets
Standing Shoulder Abduction Full Range - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 2 sets
Sleeper Stretch - 2 x daily - 7 x weekly - 3 sets - 30 seconds hold
Prone Shoulder Horizontal Abduction with Thumbs Up - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 10 reps - 3 sets
Prone O Scapular Retraction - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 3 sets - 10 reps
Standing Shoulder Flexion to 90 Degrees with Dumbbells - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 15 reps - 2 sets
Drawing Bow - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 15 reps - 2 sets
Shoulder PNF D2 Flexion - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 2 sets - 10 reps
Standing Single Arm Shoulder PNF D1 Flexion - 1 x daily - 7 x weekly - 2 sets - 10 reps

Discussed performing above HEP for maintenance daily for 1 year after surgery, then may reduce to 3 x week.

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This is very helpful. I will get photos to match and prepare a chart of exercises. Are they all on youtube?
Thanks @ltsally

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@artscaping

This is very helpful. I will get photos to match and prepare a chart of exercises. Are they all on youtube?
Thanks @ltsally

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Not sure I used medbridge.

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@artscaping

This is very helpful. I will get photos to match and prepare a chart of exercises. Are they all on youtube?
Thanks @ltsally

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Sorry... my grammar was lacking above. Not sure if they are on youtube. I used Medbridge for videos. All 10 of the exercises are to be done every day. Make sense?

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@artscaping

Good evening @dmk. Thanks for your response and evident patience with recovery and rehabilitation. You will be a big part of the success of a TKR. Please prepare by having your legs and body in the best shape they can be. So many of us get a little too anxious to hit the golf course again or enter too many dance contests (just teasing). The really important aspect is to proceed slowly. Learn to ride the stationary bike with ease before you take off on a 10-mile mountain bike event. Find an MFR therapist who can help you avoid unwanted and unnecessary pain from scar tissue at the incision. Use some more ice water baths from the cryo cuff machine (that sounds cool.). As far as clothes go....stay comfy with good supportive shoes.

You probably won't need a walker very long. You may need bars in the shower and a raised toilet seat. I also found that a pillow to use under your knee helps you sleep better.

And most of all...be kind to yourself.
Chris

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THANK YOU Actually am hoping to get back to line dancing after having a TKR. My therapist ( have same one that rehabilitated my reverse total shoulder) He has me doing exercises preop and when I see him next week will do more preop, dry needling, taping etc.
What size pillow did u use, were you able to sleep in your bed. They are sending me a walker, raised toilet seat, new cryocuff machine and they are giving me a handicap placard. Will I really need that the handicap card that is. I have pants made with zippers so easy access for surgeon and therapist. Am anxious about stairs as we have no bed or bath on main level. Do have bar in shower! Did you have any issues with nausea and vomiting I had many months of that with my shoulder replacement. What kind of chair did u sit in

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I have had three reverse shoulder replacements by a fantastic Mayo-Rochester surgeon. The reason for the extra surgery is that I became too active ( feeling good) too soon because I could use the shoulder, causing the ball to come out of joint after the first surgery. He repaired it, and although recovery takes a long time,I felt the outcome was worth it. He gave me several specific exercises to do at home, which is convenient. After two years and three surgeries, I was able to cross country ski, ride my bicycle, pull hoses around to water outdoor plants etc. I know others who have also good outcomes with other surgeons. I would research the surgeons and ask about their patients’ outcome. I am pain free which was a big relief.I was in my mid’70’s during the surgeries.

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I am 6 months post recovery and ended up at home with no care. I do not recommend it. I now have a little help but can barely bathe, dress or drive. I believe the better rehab hospitals insure that clients get the immediate arm rehab needed. I am behind and fearful of not recovering. I can't play guitar, ride my bicycle, or a horse, reach anything higher than 5 ft. Or carry anything heavy. I do my exercises and have pain. I take regular tylenol. I hope you get a good doctor and staff that talk to you and explain things. I do not have that and feel very alone.

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@musicfox

I am 6 months post recovery and ended up at home with no care. I do not recommend it. I now have a little help but can barely bathe, dress or drive. I believe the better rehab hospitals insure that clients get the immediate arm rehab needed. I am behind and fearful of not recovering. I can't play guitar, ride my bicycle, or a horse, reach anything higher than 5 ft. Or carry anything heavy. I do my exercises and have pain. I take regular tylenol. I hope you get a good doctor and staff that talk to you and explain things. I do not have that and feel very alone.

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Good evening @musicfox and welcome to Connect. As soon as I read your post, my heart started beating just for your situation. I am going to assume you are writing about a reverse shoulder replacement. I am so sorry that you find yourself alone at this rather tough time in your life.

First of all, I will let you know that I have had a reverse shoulder replacement on the right side after two failures.....an attempted rotator cuff repair and a cadaver graft. Neither worked at all. I chose a great surgeon who called me to come to his office and spend time watching a video of the surgery and discussing the options and elements of concern.

At 6 months are you still wearing an immobilizer or other supportive assist? Are you still having high-level pain or just after exercising? I don't remember this as an extremely painful recovery.....just took some time to relearn how to use the shoulder since it had a different feel. I should tell you that I fell down a mountain, breaking my elbow in three places at the same time I dislocated the shoulder. So the recovery was a bit laborious.

I was very lucky to have a business partner and friend who surprised me by driving up and spending my first week at home with me. And I had a puppy dog and a couple of kitties to keep me company. My Cavalier would come jump on the bed and stare at me with a look that said, "are you ever going to get up?"

I want to think a moment about the activities in which you are unable to participate. Is it because your shoulder isn't ready yet or because the pain is too uncomfortable? I remember now.....I joined a Mahjong group and learned how to play while also having the opportunity to socialize.

What is your most concerning issue?

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

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@musicfox

I am 6 months post recovery and ended up at home with no care. I do not recommend it. I now have a little help but can barely bathe, dress or drive. I believe the better rehab hospitals insure that clients get the immediate arm rehab needed. I am behind and fearful of not recovering. I can't play guitar, ride my bicycle, or a horse, reach anything higher than 5 ft. Or carry anything heavy. I do my exercises and have pain. I take regular tylenol. I hope you get a good doctor and staff that talk to you and explain things. I do not have that and feel very alone.

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I'd like to add my welcome, @musicfox. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion. I did this to help you connect with others who have had reverse shoulder replacement. Come join the discussion and get support from fellow members like @basslakebabe19 @artscaping @starfirey2k @marlynn @ltsally @gail922 @barocco @mashelly @ddsack @yardsaler1 @yardsaler1 @kilh @jamy @bluebrass @681 @mack1946

Here are some other related discussions about reverse shoulder surgery:
- Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-surgery/
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Post-surgery mobility: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-3/
- Reverse shoulder replacement 4 months out - severe pinch pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-4-months-out-severe-pinch-pain/

As you'll read from the previous posts, rehab and physical therapy is really important for full recovery. Are you able to get physical therapy now?

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@colleenyoung

I'd like to add my welcome, @musicfox. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion. I did this to help you connect with others who have had reverse shoulder replacement. Come join the discussion and get support from fellow members like @basslakebabe19 @artscaping @starfirey2k @marlynn @ltsally @gail922 @barocco @mashelly @ddsack @yardsaler1 @yardsaler1 @kilh @jamy @bluebrass @681 @mack1946

Here are some other related discussions about reverse shoulder surgery:
- Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-surgery/
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Post-surgery mobility: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-3/
- Reverse shoulder replacement 4 months out - severe pinch pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-4-months-out-severe-pinch-pain/

As you'll read from the previous posts, rehab and physical therapy is really important for full recovery. Are you able to get physical therapy now?

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HI! Thank you for the invite. I am not reverse shoulder replacement. Mine is regular from end stage glenhumeral arthritis and torn rotator and bicep muscle.

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