After reverse shoulder surgery

Hello Elaine, I’m Jim. I had the the same procedure on my right shoulder on October 7th. By March 7th my PT cut me loose from further sessions since he said just going about my life with daily exercise should get me back to close to my original range of motion. So that was twice a week sessions for almost 5 months. My surgeon definitely just handed me over to the PT who knew more of the necessary stretching (some with pain that I had to relax into) and strengthening exercises to get back to what I had once experienced. Today I don’t even think about it. A little limitation in tucking in my shirt and I can’t quite get my arm pointing straight up from raising it up from the side nor from from the forward position. But I can reach the top shelf again! . I had a PT who I trusted and who I had a history with. I don’t know your specific situation but if you don’t trust your PT I would certainly get an evaluation from another PT. You say your surgeon offered to redo your surgery. Is something wrong? I agree that I would try everything else first! My best to you.

Hi Elaine, I'm sorry you are not having a good recovery. You don't mention having pain, so that is good. I second the idea of trying a new PT person, and having them explain to you what part of the musculature they think is causing the holdup in regaining range of motion and if further stretching/strengthening exercises will have any benefits. Then have your surgeon explain to you exactly what he would do differently this time to increase your ROM. You probably should get a 2nd opinion from another surgeon to verify that re-doing the rTSR would fix or change anything before going through it again.

Hello I had a reverse shoulder op just over a year ago. My surgeon warned me that I would not regain former total movement but there would be no pain. I initially exercised daily with stretch bands and a broom handle. Yes, the arm is weaker but daily use is not restricted. I didn’t go to a Physio, just worked out at home, following the exercises suggested by my surgeon.

I had a reverse total shoulder in 2019. Before surgery I called and visited with physical therapists places and decided on one in particular. I was hoping to get the manager physical therapist I talked with but on my first day I got a young man. I totally lucked out, he is awesome. My surgeon had said it’s the hardest joint replacement to get thru that hip is easiest with knee in middle. He told me I had to work hard. Anyhow my therapist 28 at time with his phd and other credentials had rehabbed himself from a torn shoulder muscle surgery, so he knew what I was experiencing to a point. I had him every single therapy visit except one for a year and he said to keep up exercise regimen he provided forever. He used so many things and I still have a regimen of exercises for shoulder daily. He used muscle stimulator, deep tissue massage and dry needling, taping to name a few. I have full range motion. I have theraband pulley I use at home daily 4 min in each direction everyday. Forward side and middle. I do therabands with blue color all different ways exercises using a door and use 5 lb weights. About one month post op I laid down flat on bed and take something like a broom handle starting at chest with both hands and work way over head til I was able to totally go all the way back to bed. It’s a long journey and your not a year yet.
I hope you are still in therapy with same therapist each time. Tell your therapist what issues you are having they are the ones who can help. My therapist has always helped me with my issues until fixed. I still do dry needling on shoulder once month because of an issue surgeon couldn’t fix and it keeps me going. Shoulder is greatly improved compared to pain before surgery
Same physical therapist has seen me thru total knee and has prepared me for hand surgery.
Good luck 🍀 you aren’t a year out yet!

Thank you Jim. I do trust my PT guy. He's really good and said he had never seen a case like mine. About a month after surgery I went back to my surgeon because of pain. He said the prothesis had "slipped" and the only remedy was to repeat the surgery, saying it would help the pain but not the mobility. A couple of months later I complained about the same thing and he said I had "fractured" it. Again, only help would be surgery.

It is not as good now as it was before the surgery. I think I need another opinion; am trying to determine with medicare how I go about this.

My surgeon is like, "oh well"

Thank you for your comments

Thank you for your comments. I have done everything with the exception of "dry needling". Can you give me details on that?

So you think I should be more patient? I have been to therapy 38 times.

Good evening @elainepow1. My goodness. Something just doesn't seem right with your surgeon's recommendation for a second reverse shoulder surgery. Just so you know, I had my reverse 12 years ago and was one of the first patients to be approved by my insurance because I was too young at the time. They wanted older folks because they probably would pass on before needing any secondary procedures. They made me go through opioids, acupuncture, and 2 preliminary surgeries before approving the reverse. The injury to the shoulder was the result of falling down a mountain.

At the time this surgery, developed in France, had just been in the US for a few years. There was no prescribed PT so my PT and my surgeon just worked it out together. Today, you can have the replacement custom-made to fit perfectly onto your shoulder. My choices were limited but the engineer from the company actually came to help with the surgery.

The bottom line is that the horrendous pain is gone totally. Since there was no prescribed ROM, I think they did the best that could be done at the time. So....I have to hold my surgery arm up with my other hand in order to dry my hair or reach into the cupboard. Inconvenient???? Yes, it is. However, I wouldn't think of revision surgery. I manage well even though it is my dominant arm.

At this time, I am postponing the same surgery on my non-dominant arm while trying to manage with guided injections and one attempted rotator cuff repair. It does seem that I will have to give in soon and this time I will know a lot more and be a better patient.

Please stay in touch with me and let me know how things are working out for you. I value your opinion.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

Thank you every one, so much

I worked hard to regain strength after the surgery. I am a swing dancer and rotate through all kinds of turns while dancing, using my shoulders; they have become much stronger because of the arm movement . I am 80 years old. Never give up!