Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions

I had RSR on my left shoulder 2 years ago. Best thing I have done. Not much pain really! For me. PT was the best and got so easy!!!

Thanks for the insight.

Wear tops that zip up, always putting the arm that had surgery in first. Pants with elasticized waistbands. Slip-on slippers (socks are very hard to put on w/out help). I only needed to dress like this the first 7-8 days and was then able to handle loose overhead tops and pants with buttons and zippers.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a wedge-like bed pillow to help with shoulder pain after a standard shoulder replacement? I find it very difficult to sleep prone without experiencing a lot of pain during the night. Just propping up my pillow does not offer enough stability.
Thanks.

Do you have a recliner you can sleep on for awhile? That’s what I did.
Good Luck.

I bought just a very basic wedge from Amazon for about $28. I used it with additional pillows propped here and there to support my rTSR arm or backside.

Sleeping is always difficult for the first couple of months after surgery. I spent enough time in the recliner during the day that I needed to have a true bed to return to for any hope of deeper sleep. Plus our crappy recliner does not push back completely flat and has a tendency to want to pop back to a more upright angle whenever you wiggle your seat, not a restful position. After the first couple of weeks, I removed the immobilizer wrist strap in bed at night so I could lay my arm straight along my thigh. My elbow was still connected to the waist strap, so my shoulder wasn't going to move. I normally never sleep on my back, so it was a challenge to find various side angles that would work.

It was recommended that I use a 45° wedge for bed. I purchased the following as I, too wanted to get a better sleep in bed. This wedge is 3 parts: includes a pillow and 2 different size wedges. I am 6 months post TRS and am using the smaller wedge. Best of luck!

I am scheduled for reverse shoulder replacement in 3 weeks. I want to know what to expect, wear, plan for too

Hi,
There are videos on YouTube featuring a physical therapist that covers a lot of things for post op for shoulder replacement. I found her to be very helpful and she covers clothing,sleeping,bathroom stuff,grooming etc. The videos can be found by searching for EquiptMeOt. Good luck with your surgery.

Good evening, @bernadetterae, and welcome to "Connect." You have joined a great group of folks who believe in and support "sharing." Let's begin by sharing helpful hints for folks with reverse shoulder replacements. My RSR is on my right shoulder as a result of a fall down the mountain where I lived. The ambulance staff helped get me to the closest hospital, about 40 miles away, by tying a temporary wrap to the interior light in the ceiling. After imaging, I was told that my elbow had three breaks in it, and my shoulder was completely dislocated. Because my insurance was not familiar with reverse shoulder replacement surgery (it was developed in France and brought to the US just before my "accident"), the approval was withheld until I had gone through two surgeries.......a rotator cuff repair and a cadaver replacement. Neither option worked, and the reverse replacement was scheduled.

So here is a list of items and processes that I experienced.
1. What to expect? Talk with your surgeon about pre-surgery strengthening exercise if you can tolerate some discomfort.
2. Will this surgery be on your dominant arm and shoulder? That answer can help you decide how to handle your daily activities and plan for assistance.
3. What to wear? Depends on if you have a sling which controls your movement.
4. How to sleep? Some find lounge chairs easier. Others put on a large T-shirt without pushing the surgery arm through the sleeve. That keeps it close and tight to your body.
5. Physical Therapy.....my PT met with my surgeon and together they designed a post-surgery program. That was necessary because I lived on a mountain at about 6,000 ft and altitude was important. Also, because this was relatively new surgery in the US, there wasn't a proven specific program.
6. Depending on whether your surgery is on your dominant side, you may have to have some help doing daily tasks......from feeding the puppy dogs to doing the dishes. I actually became pretty good at writing with my non=dominant hand which was important because I had an art gallery at the time and needed to write sales slips.
7. Check with your surgeon's staff about driving. I know that in CA you cannot drive with a sling on your shoulder.
8. Clothing.....as soon as the sling was removed, I used vests so that I could hang onto the other side with my surgery hand.
What else have you been wondering about?

May you be safe, protected and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris