Anyone? Mammogram TOO Painful after Reverse Shoulder Replacement?

Hello @lafromli, I think I might be a little mad myself if the tech wasn't listening when I told him it hurt and I couldn't put my arm over my head like she wanted. Hoping others with experience will respond. I did find this article that sounds like it may be what you have experienced.

"Dislocation of the artificial joint is the most common complication after a reverse total shoulder replacement. The humerus or arm portion (the socket) can become dislodged or disconnected from the ball (the shoulder blade part)."
-- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/reverse-total-shoulder-replacement

Have you contacted the surgeon or care team to follow up with them on your current symptoms?

Thanks so much for reaching out. I did speak to my Surgeon. It doesn't feel dislocated, but the incision site on my bicep bore the brunt of the compression and is very sore. I'm going to see him next week and will use ice and NSAIDS in the meantime.
I posted here because I have never been warned about this or even read about it. I can't be the only woman this has happened to!

Any chance your insurance will cover a 3D breast CT scan as alternative in future?

Thanks for reading. I don't know if they would. Since my images were bad, and by the way there's no mention of the shoulder surgery, I can get an ultrasound.
This really needs to be addressed and added to precautions for shoulder patients as well as other orthopedic problem patients.

I had a reverse shoulder replacement June 7 and Aug 1 had a mammogram. I was told I had no more restrictions of what I could do and I was pain free. I can put my arm above my head just fine. The procedure was very painful, I think the muscles above and below the compression were stressed too soon. I was foolish to go ahead but everyone said it was OK. I was motivated because I am a breast cancer survivor for 7 years after lumpectomy. My pain was gone fairly soon and I have no pain since. I think I am fortunate. The good news was no cancer was seen. I will be less eager to go so soon after my other shoulder replacement which will be my 5th joint replacement.

So sorry this happened to you. I had a mammo 3 months post op and my only problem was not being able to raise my operative arm up to hold on to the bar. I had to use my other arm to assist and was able to hold on once I got it there. I still don’t have full motion in that arm . Hopefully,your insurance will cover an ultra sound. Good luck.

Sounds like you ran into an unsympathetic, poorly trained technician who was more concerned about her pictures than addressing the pain of the patient. Maybe if she had very slowly and gently tried to position your arm, massaging and allowing it to gradually stretch into position, you might have been able to bear it just long enough for the photos. It sure seems like this should have been addressed in their certification courses, with all the baby boomers now coming through for mammograms. TSR's and general shoulder problems would not be that uncommon. I am one of the lucky ones to have had good results from my reverse TSR so mammograms are no problem for me, but if this happened to me I would maybe complain to her supervisor.

That's exactly how I feel about this! This wasn't a youngster, she was a much older woman and I assumed she would have some common sense! Thank you for validating my feelings. I thought my expectations were too high!

That's what happened to me. The staff would not listen to me about my arm movement. My PCP had ordered a sona gram so I would not have to go through all the painful movement but they did a mammogram anyway. So when all was said and done, they had torn muscles covering was over my new shoulder. This is not repairable. My ROM has become limited and a shot every three months. As someone commented the staff should have some training on when to listen to the patient about prior surgeries or injuries. My other arm also needs an RSR. No telling when that will happen. So for now just shots. Thanks for all you shared. I hope all your outcomes will be better than mine. KLH

I'm sorry for what you went through! The problem is the lack of Training along with Common Sense. I think this needs to be brought to the attention of Orthopedic Surgeons so they can add it to the list of precautions.
I wish you Good Luck and Good Health!