Total Shoulder Replacement: Any success stories out there?

Here is an update on my sudden shoulder pain problem mentioned in the previous posts. (My rTSR had been perfect with no pain until I developed unexplained pain after 9 months. ) Since my ortho doctor is booked up months in advance, I saw one of his PA's who had a set of 4 x-rays taken, which showed that the artificial parts were still in proper place with no change since the last x-rays. Also had a blood test for possible infection, which was negative. Got a referral to my physical therapy guy, but had to wait almost three weeks since he was booked up and I did not want a new person. Meanwhile, about 3 days after I saw the PA, I could tell that my arm was getting better on it's own! Each day there was less chance of jolting pain, and more range of movement was possible without triggering pain. By the time I saw PT, I was pretty much back to normal in every way. PT agreed that I probably had caused tendonitis/tendonosis from stress and strain of heavy gardening, dragging hoses, carrying heavy pots of soil, water buckets. It took 5-6 weeks total, from the time I first noticed slight pain, to two weeks of near constant sharp twinges, to where it was gone on it's own. PT gave me a set of 6 exercises to do, some with an 8lb hand weight, some with bands to strengthen the area of tendon attachment, which he identified when he pressed on it, and I felt a series of little sparkly pains. He also said to massage the area, and ice it. So for now, my rTSR is back to feeling fine, and I will try to do what I can to not have this occur again. Happy that it appears resolved.

I had a total shoulder replacement 9 months ago. Somehow I have dislocated my shoulder. The surgeon wants to remove the parts and do a reverse shoulder replacement. Not happy about this so #1 has this ever happened to anyone. #2 how does he remove the ball from my humerus. #3 what are the chances for bone fracture of the humerus. #4 if you had a reverse done what was the healing process. The 1st one was very painful for 2 weeks and 3 + months of pt.

I had a total shoulder replacement 9 months ago. Somehow I have dislocated my shoulder. The surgeon wants to remove the parts and do a reverse shoulder replacement. Not happy about this so #1 has this ever happened to anyone. #2 how does he remove the ball from my humerus. #3 what are the chances for bone fracture of the humerus. #4 if you had a reverse done what was the healing process. The 1st one was very painful for 2 weeks and 3 + months of pt. I have also taken it reclast and had a bad reaction did anyone else have any problem with it.

The ball should be up at your shoulder the rod is in your humerus. Here is what a reverse total shoulder looks like on xray

I would greatly recommend you do some research on reverse total shoulder revision before having it done. Sorry that I didn't.

Thanks for the pic. Refused shoulder replacement after hearing the at I would lose 30%+ mobility, take a year to heal (for both shoulders) and arthritis still eating me up.

How long was time between the operation and being functional?

@jholland - my reverse TSR recovery went very smoothly. I quit wearing the immobilizer/sling at about 6-8 weeks, only using it when I was going to be out and about in situations where I might get bumped by others. My PT started out at three times a week for the first few weeks, then cut down to twice, and then once a week at the end. As far as being functional, by the time I finished PT at around 10 weeks, I was adequately functional for daily tasks. I continued daily assigned stretching and strength exercises on my own for a month afterwards. After than, I just went about doing whatever I needed, having to sometimes remind myself to be careful about not picking up too heavy a load. By 4-6 months I would have considered myself fully healed and functional without restrictions. But everyone reacts to surgery in their own way, so I'm sure there are people that will take a year to heal.

Thank you

Wise choice. After two years, I'm still in pain, and sometimes it's severe enough to wake me from sleep.