Shoulder Replacement

Good afternoon @fignolia, and welcome to Connect. This is a place where folks share their experiences, hopes, and even fears. We all can learn from each other. I remember how frightened I was when I damaged my right shoulder falling down the mountain. I had no idea that it would take 3 years and 3 surgeries to fix it. I ended up with a reverse TSR after the disappointment of rotator cuff and cadaver surgery.

What made the difference.????.......a surgeon who put patient care way above anything else. Do you think your surgeon would sit with you through a video of the surgery and explain what is going on? That sure helped me. And it let me know that he knew what he was doing. Just a suggestion but one that worked for me. He also fought with my insurance company until they relented and approved the surgery.

So with a pretty high trust level, I let go of my fear and turned everything over to him. Guess what he did? In the evening after the surgery, he came and sat in my room to make sure I was doing alright. Because I have difficulty with anesthesia, he also asked the anesthesiologist to stop by and make sure everything was o.k.

I think trust is a very necessary ingredient for a successful surgery. How can you become trusting? I want to echo what @johnbishop would tell you and that is to learn as much as you can about your condition and the options for treating it. Knowledge is power.

Perhaps you can help me understand. How did you injure your shoulder? What treatments have you undertaken already? What medications have you found to be helpful? Your answers will help me and other connect members in our efforts to be supportive.

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

Yes

Thanks for your response. Very helpful. I injured my shoulder (bone fracture clean through at ball) skiing nearly 30 years ago. Never gave me a problem for years. When I started having problems, I eventually had 3 scopes to clean out spurs and debris. For pain, I take Tylenol. It helps a bit, but really, not that effective. Hope my post helps someone else on their journey.

I had a reverse total shoulder at Mayo in July 21. My recovery was outstanding. The only meds for pain after my nerve block wore off was Tylenol. I also had a wonderful PT who worked with me to get the best range of motion. I did what he asked me to do and finished all my PT.
Thank you Mayo for a successful surgery

Hi. I had a shoulder replacement surgery back in 2014. I feel like it has a success. I don't have perfect range of motion but the pain is gone. I have a lot of arthritis damage in my elbows so it was hard to do the therapy as well as I should have but it still is a lot better. My surgery was done at MAYO Clinic in Rochester.

@fignolia I had my TRSR at the end of October 2021, so it will shortly be 6 months since surgery. I am so pleased with the results. No more nagging arthritis pain day and night. I have recovered nearly all the strength and mobility and can once again lift my heavy crockpot up to a top shelf for storage, even going on tiptoe to do it. Before surgery, I could not even get my right arm up to wash my hair. The only difference I notice now, is that I can't make very quick rotational moves to the inside, like when soaping my torso up in the shower. I have to move my arm more slowly, maybe it's because that direction of rotation doesn't work as well with some of the rotator cuff removed - which they do in the reverse shoulder procedure. I started my PT at two weeks, went for about 8 weeks total, starting at three times a week and tapering off to twice, and then once a week for the last couple of visits. The biggest problem is getting your arm in a comfortable position for sleeping the first few weeks since you have to wear your immobilizer/sling day and night. I did not have much surgical pain, only took extra strength Tylenol pain or Ibuprofen after returning home after one night in the hospital. Lots of icing, and had some daily arm pendulum and flexing exercises that they showed me in the hospital. I am so happy to be rid of the daily arthritis pain, that I would do it again, if my left shoulder should ever go bad. (knock on wood!)

Thank you. Makes me more hopeful!!

I had my RSA last June after 6 repairs over 50 years that Left my shoulder frozen and painful, and the replacment surgery took about three hours, I have regained 85% may be a little more of the original range,And as others have said after the nerve block wore off Tylenol and ibuprofen for about two weeks took care of what little pain I had, it rehabbed really fast and I’m extremely happy with the results I wish I would’ve done it sooner

I am having shoulder replacement surgery in a few weeks. I’m glad to read that taking Tylenol was all that some of you took after the surgery. I was told that I’d probably take painkillers for 3 days and Tylenol afterwards. I was also told that sleeping sitting up is best afterwards. How long did that last?
Also when did you start driving again? Thanks for your help!

Good afternoon and welcome to Connect, @ls114 I am also glad that you posted information about your upcoming surgery. I actually had a reverse shoulder replacement after having two other surgical attempts. Your information is spot on. The after-surgery pain is moderate. Just make sure you do take the pain meds as long as you need them so you don't suffer any more than necessary. You will have an immobilizer sling It's pretty big and very protective. What I did use a lot was the ice machine. Frequent use for me was every few hours.

For sleeping, you need to keep your shoulder comfortable and in a helpful position. One of the things you can do is pull on a large t-shirt without putting your arms or that sling through the armholes. The other thing you can do is get a large pillow or foam piece to rest your arm on while sleeping. I never had to actually sit up. Even after the immobilizer is removed you may still want that t-shirt to keep your shoulder tight to your body.

And now for the driving.......that depends on how you do in PT and the laws in your home state. In CA you cannot drive with a sling of any kind. I pushed it a little bit to go get gas and I am embarrassed to say I ran into the post at the end of the gas pumps. That's a no-no in anybody's book.

I will tell you that my friend Kathy popped in to help me recover. What a gift she was. However, she had me out walking every morning........a little more than I was ready for but it did help me with the recovery.

Don't worry, you will do well.
Any other questions?

May you be safe, free, and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Thank you so much for your response! It was very helpful.