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.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Good evening @zhigirl2023. So, progress is being made. I hope there was at least an apology for sending you an incorrect diagnosis. So.....May 25th is the date of your surgery? I don't think I felt sad at the moment of acceptance of my future. I was happy that there might be a future without shoulder pain. I was also very trusting of my surgeon. No doubts or fears. If he felt confident about the projected outcome, so was I.
What else do you need to know at this point? How will you arrange support for your post-surgery recovery needs? Do you have a girlfriend or relative who can stay with you for at least week 1? Think about wherever you need two hands. For a while, you will only have one. I posted about my friend Kathy who just drove up to the mountain, brought in her suitcase, and said, " I am here. We are going to do this together". And we did.
Please stay in touch. Feeling sad, or frightened? I am right here.
May you be at peace and content.
Chris
Hi Chris, I am working hard on acceptance and mental peace. Iv got a friend who offered her home for a week post-op, I am grateful.bi will be staying in touch with you. God bless you.
Mara
Hi @tfarizona it is now August 2023, how are you doing?
Hi,
I’m doing well. Still have some discomfort while sleeping on the surgical side. Range of motion was 140 when I completed PT in the end of March. It may have increased to about 150 now.
It’s a bit disappointing that I still have discomfort while sleeping and that ROM will forever be about 150 at best. Both situations were about where I was prior to surgery. I guess that I should be glad that the joint deterioration will not get any worse.
My non surgical shoulder is beginning to bother me but I doubt that I will elect surgery unless it becomes unbearable.
If you need surgery of any kind, Mayo is the place to have it done.
I haven't read through all the posts so apologize if this has been asked. I'm a 68 y/o male and last year had both knees replaced. The results have been extraordinary and I'm in the gym 6 days/week.
The knees needed to be replaced due to osteoarthritis (hereditary, of course). I've got the same problem in my left shoulder. I've seen a surgeon, got one cortisone shot, and I don't have major pain, yet.
Are there any exercises I can do to strengthen the shoulder joint and prolong or avoid a TSR? Thanks in advance.
Joe