Damaged my shoulder tendons about 10 years ago

After what I've been dealing with my shoulder, if you're not dealing with much pain I would leave your shoulder as is. It's not a good situation once done (shoulder replacement) and additional problems arise..infection, frozen shoulder, chronic stiffness, etc. But that is my opinion.

Thank you for sharing your honest experience. I am so sorry to hear of the problems you are having. I am doing the research I need to be well informed . I’m leaning on the side of a ‘no go’. Best wishes . Again, my gratitude for sharing .
Chandra

@cbphoenix71 Welcome to Mayo Connect - reverse shoulder replacement has been a topic in our support groups several times, so let me try to connect you with some recent posters. If you click this link, you will find a recent discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/?pg=13#comment-847944

Now that @ljgraham166 is a few months out, maybe she can add some advice here. Also, @artscaping has been through the surgery - more than once if I remember correctly.

My history has included hip replacement surgery, and my turning point was when I could no longer do the things I loved to do, and the chronic pain was wearing on my body and spirit. I have never regretted the decision.
Sue

Thank you Sue. I am still living my best life. Exercise has been good for me . I have very little pain. I would rethink surgery if I have chronic pain.

I had RTS 2019 after having a failed shoulder surgery 12 years prior. I lived in horrible pain for many years unable to perform activities of daily living without tears and pain, and couldn’t sleep thru the night. By time I went to surgeon after X-rays and mri he said it was the second worst shoulder he had ever seen. I have quality of life again although I am majorly limited in what I can do. (No more bowling, racquetball, golf and am limited to 5 lbs for lifting, not great at that one).If you are well managed and have a good quality of life now stick with that but I had gone way beyond that before surgery and for me I waited too long. RTS took a toll on my body for a while as it is MAJOR SURGERY! You will know when it’s time.

Dear DMK,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.You sure made me feel better that I should follow my instincts and that I would know when the time is right. I am feeling better that I am making a well informed decision.

I wish Mayo would have information sessions on Reverse Replacement surgery. It is a major decision and dealing with the aftermath. Give us the positive and negative. Also, present each patient with alternative therapies, and how to continue dealing with the limitations. For me, the injury is on my non-dominant arm. I have adapted and have very few limitations. I have had to take care when working out at the gym and doing yoga. Not a big deal.

God bless!

It will be 2 years in October since I had a reverse right shoulder replacement, and I am thrilled with it. I had an excellent physical therapist, did lots of daily home exercises, and was well healed by my 4 month check up. No more constant nagging pain day and night, and I have excellent reach and mobility, don't even think about it during the normal daily activities. Only my behind the back reach is limited to a short arc, due to the reverse of the ball and joint, but it's not all that different than my left arm which probably has a bit of arthritis, but is still ok so far.
I was in no hurry to get the rTSR, and very apprehensive, even though I had both knees done previously and they both turned out well. Probably decided to do surgery about a year after the original diagnosis, had treated my shoulder with cortisone a few times, but that quit working by the third shot. I think you will know when it is time to get it done. For me, the trigger for all my replacement parts has been some event with extreme pain for several days (over and above the daily nagging low level pain) that caused me to decide I needed to do something, because I was not willing to live with that level of pain, or threat of it recurring often.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am indeed apprehensive. However, one of the best advice was from DMK. She wrote that I will know when the time is right. I don’t have any chronic pain. I haven’t had any cortisone shots and very seldom I use some topical pain cream. It will take a situation similar like yours that lead me to surgery. The injury is not on my dominant arm, so I am still active and have learnt to do modifications for the past decade. Thank you again. Cheers!

I would like info from those of you that have had Reverse Shoulder Replacement surgery from an injury. (A horse ran over me and dislocated my shoulder.) Have any of you delayed your surgery until the muscle that lose tendon connection and how much use did you achieve? Were the muscles able to be used?

suetex, I think you would have to check with an ortho surgeon and have some CT and MRI scans to evaluate the condition of the specific muscle groups and tendons in the damaged area. The front rotator cuff muscles are removed anyway during a reverse procedure, so if this is where your damage is, it could work for you.