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Pain on top of shoulder after reverse TSA and acromial fracture
Hi. I'm new here, and am hoping to hear from others who have had an acromial fracture after reverse TSA. Whenever I search "acromion fracture" on the web I get scholarly papers! I had surgery, was in a restrictive sling for 6 weeks, got out for 10 days and then had severe pain which turned out to be acromion fracture so back in for 5 more weeks. Since I was released the second time I have been doing pt exercises daily and was told to go ahead and use the arm however I wanted. Yesterday I was doing some heavy vacuum cleaning and seem to have hurt something on the top of the shoulder, and now it hurts from there to the top of hand. I'm scared that I might get another fracture with further setbacks!!! I'm a woman of 70 with osteoporosis (so far not too severe). Can anyone relate, reassure, etc? Thanks!
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Am sorry you are dealing with this. Thankfully you are young.
The osteoporosis may be a factor in your issues. When you so "say far not too severe" what does that mean?
I would gather all my records - ALL surgical, doc notes, films, MRIs, etc, on your shoulder issue - and find at least one other shoulder surgeon.
I'd get at least two new opinions on how to move forward. Press any doc you speak with on the osteoporosis issue and if there are alternative type surgery fixes just for your situation.
Are you near any major medical centers?
Thank you! I think the idea of collecting info and seeing another doc is a good one. We have a fairly large teaching hospital in Syracuse that might be a good place to look for doctors. Otherwise it would be Rochester, 1.5 hours away, but if it comes to that I will look there. Btw, made my day when you called me young! Feeling kind of old right now.
I would suggest starting with a physician who specializes in osteoporosis and see if they can get it under control.
I have issues with my reverse total shoulder with pain and locking. Been told I have a rare complication called conjoint tendonitis one surgeon gave me a one time injection that kept me pain free for 3 months and 2 weeks but he said I’ve had it for so long it would come back. It did so I had another opinion and have surgery scheduled to release the conjoint tendon in the shoulder. It’s a relatively new surgery. It will be the first time surgeon does it, but he feels very confident. I’ve always had a 5lb weight restriction of which I need to learn to stick too. RTS has been very life altering. Wish you the best
So def get another opinion. Since my original surgery in 2019 I’ve dealt with pain I get dry needling and taping done from my pt which helps immensely that back and forth heavy vacuuming you talk about would set top and front of my shoulder off maybe find someone else to do the heavy work that irritates shoulder.
Thank you for your reply. It sounds like your issues are very problematic for you and I hope that your surgeon can bring you relief!!!
I didn't really see no rTSA as an option because I was in a lot of pain from the shoulder, but I didn't really understand the possible complications, and the practice I go to are all surgeons whose main focus is either operate on it or else go to a pain clinic. I might do better with a different specialist. I am in my 2nd year of a once a year infusion for osteoporosis, called Reclast, and because my insurance (medicare advantage program) will only pay for dexa scans every two years I won't know till later this year if I am really getting any significant improvement. Medicine really feels like more of a bunch of good and not so good guesses sometimes. I wouldn't want to be a doctor and have to make those guesses, but it's also hard to know how good your specific doctor is at actually making more good than bad guesses. Anyway, thank you!!!