1. < Chronic Pain

Reverse shoulder replacement

Posted by basslakebabe19 @basslakebabe19, Jun 17, 2019

I have had chronic pain for years when both rotator cuff muscles were lost due to dissolving tendons. The only surgery probable for me is the reverse shoulder replacement. I would like to hear from people who have had the surgery -- both positive and negative. Also, when did you have the surgery as I Understand there have been improvements in the last five years. What limitations have you faced?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

jaguar | @jaguar | Jul 8, 2019
In reply to @artscaping "d@jaguar, Good evening. So, next month you plan to have a reverse shoulder replacement. Have you..." + (show)
@artscaping

d@jaguar, Good evening. So, next month you plan to have a reverse shoulder replacement. Have you seen a video or other images of a "reverse" procedure? My surgeon sat and watched one with me. He also had an engineer from the manufacturer in the OR during the surgery.

My apprehensions were somewhat relieved when I was greeted by everyone in the OR. They called me by name and told me how they would be assisting. I also was in so much pain that I was probably more apprehensive about it not working than about the post-surgery issues.

Actually, the pain was not that bad. My best friend showed up at the house, jumped in bed with me and took over. She had me out walking around the block the day after I came home. The arm rested comfortably in a large supportive sling.

I don't think PT was recommended for a couple of weeks. However, I did have an ice machine that ran into the area and kept it very cool. That is a must. Sometimes your PT has an extra in his/her studio. My insurance company authorized the purchase of the machine and it was truly a godsend.

Showering was a bit tricky so my visiting nurse helped me figure that all out. I think by day 4 or 5 I even went out to dinner .... a brief dinner but at least I was out. I must admit that I do not remember severe pain just the usual after surgery pain. As soon as the healing started I was on my way and so grateful that the intense pre-surgery pain was gone for good.

I have never had pain in that shoulder since the surgery. I have limited use of it because it isn't lined up like the other shoulder and arm. The arm is 2 inches longer than my other arm. And since eating with a fork isn't "pretty" I tend to use my left hand for most tasks.

If you are into doing yoga and half push-ups, you might find it a bit clumsy but never painful. Let me know how it goes. I will be watching for your message. My very best in health to you. Chris

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Thank you for the reply. I will keep you up dated.

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basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Jul 30, 2019

Just had surgery on the right shoulder after having chronic pain for years. Just wondering the outcome of mobility if I have no rotator cuff muscles any more. Any experiences would be appreciated regarding PT plus mobility outcomes.

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jul 30, 2019
In reply to @basslakebabe19 "Just had surgery on the right shoulder after having chronic pain for years. Just wondering the..." + (show)
@basslakebabe19

Just had surgery on the right shoulder after having chronic pain for years. Just wondering the outcome of mobility if I have no rotator cuff muscles any more. Any experiences would be appreciated regarding PT plus mobility outcomes.

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Hello @basslakebabe19, I moved your discussion and combined it with your previous discussion with the same reverse shoulder replacement title. I did this so the members you connected with earlier could see your update and have a chance to share their thoughts and experiences.

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basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Jul 31, 2019
In reply to @artscaping "@basslakebabe, First of all, you will have lots of cheerleaders here at Connect. And I would..." + (show)
@artscaping

@basslakebabe, First of all, you will have lots of cheerleaders here at Connect. And I would be willing to bet you will get support from others, I especially liked the support that meant No Cooking. Let me introduce @johnbishop, he just had a knee replacement. He shared his experience with us and the members here checked in frequently to let him know we were following his recovery progress.

One good thing......I learned to use my left hand well, even for writing. Quite ambidextrous actually. So there just may be a prize at the end of a surgical journey in addition to the big one......PAIN FREE!

Word of caution, it is illegal to drive with a sling, at least in CA. You may want to check with your surgeon. BTW, there is a Basslake in CA. Would that be yours? Be happy today. Chris

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I have been instructed: NO DRIVING for six weeks. I am two weeks post surgery and can already feel the pain relief!

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basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Jul 31, 2019

When I hit reply, I lost the address for joint group. Could someone please repeat that?

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barocco | @barocco | Jun 12, 2021

I am having reverse right shoulder replacement in a week & a half. Lots of good reviews on this site but I have been golf 2x a week. I am 75 & in reasonably good shape. Wondering if here are any golfers who have had this surgery and can help? Thanks,
Joe
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whattodo | @whattodo | Jun 13, 2021

All the best for your shoulder replacement! And one suggestion….ask your surgeon that if any muscles need to be transferred/attached that he does so. My mother had total reverse shoulder replacement and the surgeon did not transfer a muscle and she is now unable to raise her arm above shoulder height. I trust this won’t be your situation but you might want to ask about it just to be sure.

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barocco | @barocco | Dec 29, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @basslakebabe19 there is another active discussion on reverse shoulder replacement that you may be interested..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @basslakebabe19 there is another active discussion on reverse shoulder replacement that you may be interested in joining here:

> Groups > Joint Replacements > Reverse shoulder replacement
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/

You might also be interested in an article I found about successful outcomes here:

What is a Successful Outcome Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty?
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892087/

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I went a yr & 3 months with a reasonable result. Now. 3 months running & my shoulder has a very painful click on the back of my replacement shoulder. Went back to surgeon & they can't tell me what's causing it, bone scan,
He claims he's never seen anything like this and wants to back in & scope it out! Not sure at all. He points out the x-ray which shows that the original pins are still locked in. Typical surgeon, can't imagine himself making any mistake.
Open to any comments.
Jb

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 30, 2022
In reply to @barocco "I went a yr & 3 months with a reasonable result. Now. 3 months running &..." + (show)
@barocco

I went a yr & 3 months with a reasonable result. Now. 3 months running & my shoulder has a very painful click on the back of my replacement shoulder. Went back to surgeon & they can't tell me what's causing it, bone scan,
He claims he's never seen anything like this and wants to back in & scope it out! Not sure at all. He points out the x-ray which shows that the original pins are still locked in. Typical surgeon, can't imagine himself making any mistake.
Open to any comments.
Jb

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@barocco, I haven't had a shoulder replacement but have read that scar tissue can cause pain similar to what you are describing. I'm not sure if you have seen this article but it may provide some insight or help:

-- Management of Painful Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40122-020-00186-0

Have you thought about seeking a second opinion?

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Jan 3, 2023
In reply to @barocco "I went a yr & 3 months with a reasonable result. Now. 3 months running &..." + (show)
@barocco

I went a yr & 3 months with a reasonable result. Now. 3 months running & my shoulder has a very painful click on the back of my replacement shoulder. Went back to surgeon & they can't tell me what's causing it, bone scan,
He claims he's never seen anything like this and wants to back in & scope it out! Not sure at all. He points out the x-ray which shows that the original pins are still locked in. Typical surgeon, can't imagine himself making any mistake.
Open to any comments.
Jb

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On the plus side the doc is being upfront with you and appears as puzzled as you. And thankfully we now have arthroscopes to make looking easier and less with radiation to. It took a long time for your shoulder to give out and require intervention. Why do you expect it to heal in a very short time? Give your muscles and tendons time to adjust to their new environment and get your clicking checked out too. My 2 cents!

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