Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Recovery process

Have had a reversed shoulder replacement. Have a ton of aggravation to date--constant aches and stingers since the surgery in mid-December 2022 and now, it is mid-march 2023. PT is slow in improvement. So far. I have Deltoids that won't fire and numbness in my right non-dominant hand, so I think those factors slow PT progress. My surgeon is planning on a nerve study soon, and I will be "glad" to do so. But getting a bit down about a possible failed surgery

You and I need to talk! I am having the very same problems as you. Went to my doctor today and he released me, no more he can do. I am getting further tests and seeing a peripheral nerve specialist next Monday to see if he can do for me. Let me know what you've been through.

You and I need to talk! I am having the very same problems as you. Went to my doctor today and he released me, no more he can do. I am getting further tests and seeing a peripheral nerve specialist next Monday to see if he can do for me. Let me know what you've been through.

I just had a reverse shoulder replacement on October 13, 2022, so about 6 months ago. Best thing I did! I am a very happy patient. It was my left shoulder and I am right handed. I did not need much help, only 2 weeks just getting the immobilizer on and off. I could shower myself after 2 days and get dressed. I ordered before the surgery 3 big, very bid t-shirts and watched a video on line how to put them on after shoulder surgery. I practiced before the surgery to dress myself with one hand. The first week I wore a long skirt and no underwear... worked perfect. My surgeon told me to sleep on a recliner and that worked out also fine.
I hardly had pain. The first three days I had a nerve block and after that I only took once in a while (before sleeping) 2 tylenol.
Now I finished PT. I can lift my arm nearly straight up, I drive my car, wash my hair with 2 hands. No problem whatsoever. No pain at all. Looking back: it was 6 weeks a little difficult to have the immobilizer, but not a big deal. Prepare yourself is the major part. Oh, by the way: I am 85 years old!

I'm scheduled for shoulder replacement surgery at Mayo in the end of November. My surgeon said that is unlikely that I have a bad rotator cuff, but I have bone erosion on the socket and subluxation. He said that in cases like mine, the ball could slip out of the back after TSR. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I sure don't want to have to do a revision surgery. Because of those issues, he said that rTSR might be the best option and would be decided after a CT scan.
I watched a video discussion by another Mayo surgeon that said that although rTSR has been done for only about 20 years, the majority of shoulder replacements done at Mayo are now reverse.
I of course will follow the guidance of my surgeon regarding the best option for a successful surgery.
Has anyone on this blog had rTRS and later wished that they elected TSR? Has switching to the deltoid muscle been an issue? Are there any other things that I should consider if the surgeon provides both options?

Had totally replacement in shoulder ,mri showed no rotator cuff tears just severe arthritis. so a reverse wasn't an option. I never did get total pain relief after surgery. Done May 6,2022. Went back to see ortho few weeks ago. Took x-rays said my shoulder was dislocated .asked if I fell etc, told him no nothing to cause an injury, never felt like I had full control of my biceps . So now they want to take all the hardware out and redue revision doing a reverse.replacement. needless to say I'm scared to death.i am 74 and to me surgery at my age is risky. Did find out my insurance will cover medical transport to pt so that's a relief. I think I started to drive to soon, make sure you rest it the whole 6 weeks and exercises daily,

Good evening to both of you, @ljgraham166 and @tfarizona. These are very serious issues and I think you will find that Connect, because of its sharing mission, can help us all understand the options better.

So, the first response is to @tfarizona. I had an rTSR 13 years ago and have never wished that I had elected a TSR. Most important....after the post-surgery recovery I have never had any pain or discomfort. Do I wish I had a little better ROM....yes I do, but the damage to my shoulder from a fall down the mountain was way too extensive. I consider myself to be very fortunate.

And now to think about a response to @ljgraham166. Whew......you are dealing with a decision that is quite concerning to me. Why? Because my major issue was a dislocation from the fall. Although the insurance company didn't want to cover the cost my surgeon worked very hard to get them to come around. The insurance company insisted that I go through two rotator cuff surgeries (one was a cadaver attempt) and opioids followed by acupuncture before they would approve the rTSR. Because this was a relatively new surgery (originated in France) they wanted the patients to be much older so they wouldn't have to cover any repairs. You will understand.

Now...here is the great news. You can now have a reverse with a custom-made replacement made expressly to fit your body. Using imaging, a replacement can be designed that is precisely for you. When I had mine, there were a couple of different sizes of replacement hardware and one of the engineers actually flew to CA to be there during the surgery to help with the "fit".

The result is a bit of grumbling and groaning of the mechanics and a reduced ROM along with the freedom from pain. I'll take it!!!!

I hope this gives you both some input from an 81-year-old who is very grateful to France....to my very supportive surgeon, and to the advancements that have already been made on an amazing surgery.

Please let me know if you have additional questions. I would like to know what you choose and how things work out for both of you. If I was close to you I would be there to do some hand-holding.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Thanks for your reply. When I had the original tsr there was no tear. I have no idea how it became dislocated. I'm afraid when they take it out to replace it with a new device my arm bone may break, the original is attached to the top of a humerus with a long rod. My second worry is my surgeon. I never felt like it was done right. Now I have to trust him again. I don't think another surgeon would want to do it. Just in case the 1st one messed it up. The responsibility would be alot to take on. The one thing that gives me peace of mind is that a manufacturer of the device was present to overlook the procedure so maybe they can figure out what happened.

Have had a reversed shoulder replacement. Have a ton of aggravation to date--constant aches and stingers since the surgery in mid-December 2022 and now, it is mid-march 2023. PT is slow in improvement. So far. I have Deltoids that won't fire and numbness in my right non-dominant hand, so I think those factors slow PT progress. My surgeon is planning on a nerve study soon, and I will be "glad" to do so. But getting a bit down about a possible failed surgery