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Total shoulder replacement one month later
Good day and merry Christmas to all.
About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with right shoulder arthritis, and a shoulder replacement was recommended by a surgeon at Mayo Arizona. I delayed replacement until the end of November, 2022 when the discomfort and reduced range of motion propelled me ahead. I had TSR with a nerve block. I was advised prior to the administration of the block on my neck that there was a slight chance of some eye issues and lung filling problems on the surgery side after the block. I was told that they would wear off after surgery.
I was released to my home 5.5 hours after arrival at the hospital. Everyone was very professional and I only had some minor issues. My sling was put on incorrectly prior to my release, and I had some discomfort in my right eye and slight difficulty completely filling my right lung. The anesthesiologist advised that the lung filling issue would resolve, and it did. She also said that the eye discomfort might have been caused by the nerve block, or that I may have rubbed my eye excessively after surgery causing a scratched cornea. In the event that it was the result of a scratched cornea which is common, she prescribed an antibiotic cream to use for two days. The eye problem resolved two days later.
The surgeon and several other medical professionals told me that the block would wear off in about 12 hours. I was provided a prescription for oxycodone 5 mg. and advised to begin using it for pain as I began to feel the effects of the block wearing off that evening. While the block was active, I had zero pain or discomfort. Unfortunately Mayo is not equipped or inclined to administer a block that lasts for more than 12 hours. I began to take the Oxycodone at about 10 PM as I began to feel some pain. It helped reduce the pain and I took the medication through the following day and then discontinued. I did not like the way that the medication made me feel and the pain was minimal, more of an aching. I continued to take Tylenol and Advil and they helped. I became very constipated as a result of taking the Oxycodone four times. The constipation lasted for three or four days and actually was more of an issue than the discomfort of the shoulder. The six or eight hour period after the nerve block wore off was the only time that I can say that I was in pain. If I were to have surgery on the other shoulder I would consider skipping the Oxycodone or treat the constipation more aggressively sooner.
I purchased a recliner prior to surgery. I slept in it for about a week and it helped. I also purchased an ice machine and used that for a week and it helped. Neither are required, but are nice tools to assist in the recovery. I have been sleeping in a bed for the last three weeks. I am a side sleeper and I have been unable to sleep on the surgical or non surgical side. I have slept on my back with my head propped up. It is uncomfortable and has been difficult. Sooner or later your body gets the sleep that it needs.
I began Physical therapy three days after surgery. The first three weeks were more of a massage and loosening of the shoulder area.
After three weeks I had x-rays and visited with the doctor. Healing of the shoulder and the incision was going well, and I graduated into more active physical therapy.
I am pleased by the progress of my recovery, and the lack of significant pain throughout. I look forward to full use of my shoulder with no pain or discomfort.
If anyone on this site has any questions I would be happy to answer them regarding my surgery and recovery.
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Thank you, @warrior6, I am to have both shoulders done, reverse, about six months apart. I appreciate your comments. Best of health to you.
Mine too. Several years ago. They work ok. Not like before but very usable.
Does anyone have any experience having a shoulder replacement while on biphosphonates ? Also, what questions should I ask my endocrinologist before I go back to my orthopedic surgeon ? I am hoping that i can stop all biphosphonates after this year of Reclast. Does anyone have any experience taking Reclast to protect from rebound of Prolia, for only one year ?
Thank you
Update on my recovery from TSR.
It has now been 11 weeks since surgery. I feel fine but have two issues. Although I have been going the PT for 10 weeks, I have limited range of motion lifting my arm straight up. When I visited with the surgeon at six weeks after surgery he said that I was still stiff and needed to work on that with the physical therapist. I have been doing my exercises at home religiously. The therapist measured my range of motion up (flexion) before therapy and it was 110. After therapy it was 140. (180 straight up is normal). Im guessing that my flexion before surgery was in the 150 to 160 range. She said that she thought that is was a strength issue and added some new home exercises. An example of the lack of flexion is I have great difficulty reaching the garage door button on the bottom of the rear view mirror in my car with my right surgically repaired dominant arm.
My other issue has been sleeping on my surgical side. I am awakened after sleeping on that side by the discomfort of the shoulder.
I am scheduled to visit with the surgeon in 10 days and will ask him if my lack of flexion is to be expected three months after surgery. I do not want to have to consider a revision.
Can anyone else on the site share their experience with this issue?
Good evening @tfarizona. Well, I must admit, I am excited about your recovery progress. At least it far surpasses min. I do want to start with a couple of questions. Was this surgery a reverse TSR? Mine was a reverse that happened as the result of a fall down my mountain. I was finally approved for the TSR after two years of PT, and two surgical attempts including a cadaver graft. That was in 2011. While I have no real discomfort, I cannot get to full flexion and have difficulty eating an ice cream cone. Very awkward and looks freaky.
By the way.....did you know that they can now make the reverse "parts" from a 3-D model of your shoulder. One of my problems is that my reverse parts are too large for the space that was available. They also creak and groan when I put on a sweatshirt or a winter jacket. My MFR therapist does work on both shoulders when the discomfort increases.
If I do need reverse surgery on the other shoulder I think I will ask for a "fitting". So...I am not a medical professional but I don't know about strength being the issue. In my case, I think it is about getting a good fit.
Please let me know about your progress and I would like to know what your surgeon says in 10 days. Would it be possible to remember me asking for an update? Thanks.
May you be safe, protected and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris
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2 ReactionsHave put off TSR because I was told that about 30% of my mobility would probably be lost and that I might need help to get dressed after surgery. Pain is not fun but I can live. I have EDS quite severely but would like to live a bit and not just wait for death. Sometimes surgery isn’t the answer but endurance is. The patient’s choice. Surgeons do not have the answers all the time. Like the 3D model idea.
Good luck!
@tfarizona - I checked my old online mychart notes, and at my final PT session, I had active flexion at 135, and passive at 140, so similar to yours. In the last weeks of PT he had me doing a lot of wall slides with a folded towel, straight up as far as I could stretch, and both diagonal directions. I really felt that this exercise helped me more than anything because you have a solid surface to brace against to keep pushing just a little higher. I could feel a little gain every day. I kept doing these at home for the next few weeks until my four month check up with my surgeon. At that time, his notes say my forward flexion was 170. I am really happy with my right arm now. I think it is just about as good as the left.
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1 ReactionHi I really appreciate everything you wrote. I went in to see a surgeon for a second opinion in February on that day he told me I needed a total shoulder replacement but then after he got the MRI and CT scan back he said it would just be a labrum repair and us to arthritic cleanup. Now I get the surgeons sign off and it says I need a total shoulder replacement I'm confused and upset and worried. Of course I reached out and we'll have to spend the whole night worrying until I get a hold of them tomorrow but seriously how could the diagnosis and procedures change so rapidly and might not have gotten notice of such a change?
Good evening @zhigirl2023, Whoops! Something is a bit mixed up. Wrong patient? Wrong diagnosis? You will find out tomorrow. And now a little hint about "worrying". There are things in life about which we have control. Those might justify worrying. There are other things in life about which we have no control. Worrying about those is pretty useless and can lead to some mental and physical issues. Fear is another emotion that needs to be categorized as the present, the future, or even the past. Until something happens.....fear is a useless way to spend your energy.
I notice that you are an actress. What role are you playing tonight? Is it a good one? Perhaps being a creative and talented person gives you lots of options. May I encourage relaxation and participating in something that serves as a distraction?
However, I am now fighting off my concern. So...please come back tomorrow and Connect with me. Not worrying but just want you to check in with me as soon as you find out what is going on.
May you be safe, free, and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris
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2 ReactionsHi Chris I finally got a hold of the physician assistant and it will be a total shoulder replacement. Now I'm feeling terrified my first shoulder cleanup was so painful through the lack of information I basically got sent home with tramadol and I didn't know about the ice machine. Anyway I think psychologically I feel like pieces of me are being cut out I wish I could stop thinking that also I have to find someone post-op to help me. I feel sad...May 25th...