Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

I had two reverse shoulder replacements last year…four months apart. The recovery is harder than knee replacements..of which I have had two. My right dominate arm needs a revision. Both arms have heterotopic ossification. But the right arm has notching…the prosthetic is placed at the wrong angle. About 4 months ago I fell and hit my left shoulder on a wall. This fractured my scapula…a rather large fracture. I went back to a sling. It has finally healed and I am back in physical therapy. It has been a long year but I am not in the horrible pain I had before the surgery. I am 74 and still work as a Realtor. I would do it again!

I had reverse shoulder surgeries as a senior and never regretted it. I have been swing dancing ever since.

Also..... Please talk to your doctor about a nerve block catheter into your neck. It made the first 5 days of my recovery pretty much pain free. Feel free to ask for more info if needed...but two major surgeries (one a total reverse) used the nerve block catheter. Good luck. Sally

I need the same procedure. Trying to put off til after my grandaughters wedding. So painful

Sorry you are in pain. Get the Nerve Block Catheter. I've been pretty pain free since the procedure and have pretty much complete use and movement of the arm. Still hard to lift a bunch of plates (heavy) up to a top cupboard so plan on weight training 🙂

Thanks. Never heard about nerve block catheter. I was never offered that. I have a torn rotator cuff and bad arthritis. I will mention to be dr.

I hope it works better for you than me. As stated earlier my doc cut my tendon & told me afterwards. Maybe I would have had separate surgeries.

@barocco

I am now 9 months out from the reverse shoulder replacement that I was dreading in the post you referenced, and am happy to say that surgery went very well, no intense pain afterwards, just the same dull recovery ache feeling I had with my knee replacement surgery. PT went well, I have regained my vertical stretch about equal to my other arm, and most importantly no more constant arthritis pain. I rarely think about my shoulder during the course of the day. I am glad I had it done. I had no underlying problems, other than the arthosis, bone on bone lack of cartilage, and some frayed rotator cuff muscles, so no complications like some others here have had to deal with.

@ddsack Glad to hear you are doing so well. I had my RSR four years ago. Everything was great and my ROM was more than I expected. Now my shoulder motion is now so great. I was told because of my bone structure, this is as good as it gets. There is some pain and lifting can be a problem. So for now, I get injections in my shoulder every 4 months. This really helps with everyday chores. Keep up the PT and exercise that helps also. Nice to hear of successes from other people. I need the other shoulder to have an RSR done but have been putting it off but the pain is not so bad yet. Safe healthy and active. KLH

I am 1 year, 4 months from RSR. I am at a loss for where to go from here. Over the last two months pain has reared it’s ugly head. My Surgeon is happy because I can raise my arm straight up. He thinks everything is a success. Way more painful each month.
Should I try some PT ? Worked great after the surgery. What have other people done?
Ps- active golfer, bike rider, etc. 76 years old.