Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

In my experience , I had injured my dominant arm bowling in 2002. After couple years trying to get it better on my own (1st bad choice) pain got so bad went to dr. Eventually had shoulder surgery where dr said it was very bad and would take a year to rehab. Did not have good therapy only 6 months pain free. Dealt with awful pain many many years couldn’t even be at rest without pain. Fell went back to therapy, he sent me back to dr. Got to ortho surgeon who said I needed a reverse total shoulder and year of therapy. I was only 62 years old . He explained it was the most difficult replacement to get through and I would have to work hard. After surgery he said it was the second worst he had ever seen, there was an area he couldn’t fix because he said I wouldn’t be able to use my arm. I went to search for a therapist before surgery as the physical therapist is as important as a great surgeon. I have my life back now! It was hard but totally worth it. I can wash my hair reach for things etc now. Length of time before one needs a second replacement varies. I have a friend who had one done over 25 years ago and still is doing great with her original. I wish I had my done sooner as i feel I waited too long. Same experience with knee injured bowling surgery for a meniscus tear, fell years later just had a total knee last year awesome experience with that. Same surgeon same therapist. Don’t think there is any right or wrong answer. Do what works for you. Good luck! Find a good therapist before surgery!

Thank you so much for sharing your insights. It's really encouraging at the same time as realistic. I will look for a good physical therapist.

Good evening Sandra,
It's great that you are independent and willing to help yourself. Take a look at a photo of an immobilizer. You will be wearing that for some time. For example, you will need to wear it all night......and still find a way to protect your shoulder and get some sleep. You will need an ice machine, and someone to help you keep it running. You will need someone to drive for you as the immobilizer prevents full control of the vehicle. In some states, it is illegal to even drive with a cast, much less an immobilizer. You will need someone to help you prepare meals or work with a company that delivers food for you. And you will need someone to help you with typing and other computer work until you can get your fingers moving.

I will be right here to answer questions for you and help you in any way possible. I think I wore that supportive device for 6 weeks or so. I also owned a retail business (art gallery) and had some extra help for packing and unpacking purchases.

Getting a shower and then dressing is also difficult with only one arm. However, for some reason, I think you will figure it out.

May you have contentment and ease.
Chris

Hi, Chris, Thank you for all of this information. I have looked at an immobilizer--pretty daunting. Question: did you sleep in your bed or did you get one of those big reclinable chairs?
This is really helping me wrap my head around this.

Did you do anything to prepare yourself physically and mentally for this operation? I want to go in like a champion.

Sandra

I had-a reverse shoulder surgery one year and 3 months ago best thing I ever did!! I am 73 years old and have been an exercise instructor for many years plus rode horses. I have osteoarthritis and my left shoulder was bone on bone..
The surgery slowed me down a bit for pretty much 10 months.
I slept in my bed with lots of pillows for support. The chair was to hard for me to get out of I am 5-1 a shorty. Pain was not that bad for me. PT was the hardest. It’s slow go but it works..the hardest part was that dang sling. And taking a shower and drying off!!

Very encouraging and helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Did being physically fit before hand help with your recovery? And were you able to exercise in some way after the operation?

@sandradibble, good morning I had a TRSR about 3 years ago. I also did not have any help with dressing, ice machine, and getting to PT. My daughter and son-in-law at the time were stationed in Italy. Only family around. But thanks to my son-in-law he sent my daughter and granddaughter home as a surprise to stay for 3 weeks. That was long enough to get rid of the ice and sling. I could then drive. I had no pain after surgery or weeks later, could not believe it. But now today, I have had injections in my shoulder to help my movement about every six months which has really helped my ROM. I still have a lot I can do with my left arm(the dominant one) but some things are getting harder to do. Also, need an RSR on my right side but since February I am now dealing with afib and CHD. So right now all surgery is out. Hope you can find someone to come in and help you a little each day, that would really help. But stick with the PT which is very important. Let me know how you come out but staying healthy is also important. KLH

Good evening Sandra. I am happy to see you responding and thinking. This is the right time for preparations both mental and physical.

Question #1......did I sleep in a bed? Yes I did. I learned to prop up pillows. I tool a large t-shirt or jean shirt and without putting my arms through the armholes wrapped it around me so that my "beautiful" mobilizer was tight to my body and protected my shoulder. Give it a try.

I also had my sweet Roxie (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) with me and she was very protective....leaning against me in just the right way. Don't think I am crazy but I also had my little (Maine Coon) kitten Jazzie who always had to be touching my head with a paw. How they knew I was needy is amazing.

What did I do physically and mentally? I had been through three years and two other surgeries which failed to fix the shoulder. So I was ready for the Reverse. My surgeon actually invited me to just come to his office and watch a video of the surgery with him so he could answer questions. I felt prepared and since he had been the surgeon for the rotator cuff and cadaver surgeries, I trusted him. He knew they wouldn't work but was catering to the insurance company because that was all they would approve in the beginning.

Best friends can really help and one of mine was with me all the way........arriving right after I got home with her suitcase and a smile. She saved the hug for later.

So......what is most important? Trust.........for your surgeon, the hospital, your PT, and lots of appreciation for all the support from friends, family, and even my customers.

My surgeon was very reassuring about pain control. I knew he was there for me when I woke up in my room that evening and he was sitting in a chair by my bed to make sure I was o.k. that first night. I remember that I didn't want to take Ambien and he understood. We settled on half a dose.

Fear and anxiety are unwelcome so......ask questions, seek answers and then have some very positive chats with yourself.

Lots of good thoughts coming your way from me and I am sure others. And remember Connect is here 24/7 whenever you need us.

May you be content and at peace tonight.
Chris

Having good arm strength and good core helped some.. but it’s not a have to have. No exercise till PT says so. After I finished PT I started very slowly to do stretches. No weights on arms just isometric work. Lightly. It’s been since April 21 surgery day and I am just now working on lite strength work on my arms .half pound weight or less. Walking is my best exercise 👍 gained a few pounds from surgery and Covid stuff. Hope this helps it was the best surgery for me. Glad I had it Great Doctor too. Just follow Doctors orders and your PT person!

I had reverse shoulder surgery March 18, 2022. I was doing well and into physical therapy when I started having really bad pain. Went back to my doctor and he did a scan and found a fracture. No, I did not fall . He told me he would have to go back in and do another surgery; told me the surgery would help the pain but not the mobility. This was definitely something I do not want to do. Laid off pt for 3 weeks, took prescription Vitamin D and resumed pt. I am not back to where I was before the surgery and am getting very discouraged. Any suggestions?