Does anyone have experience with a Reverse shoulder replacement?

Posted by djfrostj @djfrostj, 6 days ago

I am scheduled for a reverse shoulder replacement in September because the rotator cuff repair (3.3 cm) did not work. The idea of reversing parts is a little unnerving.

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@afm

My doctor indicated 30 lbs lifetime maximum. My friend who had one last December said his doctor limited him to 20 lbs.

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Thank you! That's a big difference from 5 lbs. We'll definitely be seeking a 2nd opinion from a different doctor. Appreciate the response.

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I had that surgery on my dominant (right) shoulder 2 weeks ago. (4/23/25). Most difficult for me has been the lack of good REM sleep. And trying to adjust to constantly wearing a sling. However, I had my first post-op today and after a review of the precautions I am taking to protect the shoulder, my diligence about following home PT and care routines, and the fact that I'll be working with a PT person regularly starting tomorrow, I am allowed to stop wearing it all the time when I am home or sleeping. I do need to wear it when I am out.
And just so no one thinks it has been a piece of cake for me, the first week was pure hell and EVERY DAY I wished at least once (and often more) that I had not gone through with the surgery. I think part of that was one of the very unpleasant side effects of the hydrocodone. I stopped taking it on day 8 post-op, refocused my perspective and set realistic goals and things have improved. Just doing the one-foot-in-front-of-the-other, one-day-at-a-time approach.
Joining this support group is helping me, so thanks to the contributors.
BTW, I am a 74 y/o female who is fairly active and in pretty good health overall, with two other successful joint replacements in my past (right hip in 2018 which WAS a piece of cake, and left knee in 2022 (w/ months of PT)

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