Connect
Question regarding complete reverse shoulder replacement
On May 7 2025-I underwent a complete total shoulder replacement on my right side. There were complications following the surgery, including the fact that they put me in a shorter splint than my arm. However, I have been discharged from occupational therapy even though I still do not have full use of my right hand. They are telling me that it may take six months to a year before I regain full use of my right hand. This is frustrating for me because before the surgery I had full use of my right hand. The biggest drawback of the way that my hand is now is I cannot drive. I haven't driven now for two years due to the pain in my shoulder. Which has nothing to do with my hand. They keep insisting it's arthritis. I have argued with them that this has nothing to do with arthritis. It even hurts when I wash my hand. I am just wondering if anyone else has gone through anything like this.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Connect
I had complete left shoulder replacement due to several conditions arthritis, birth defect and scoliosis. I complained for years and when they looked at test results it looked minor. I went to a shoulder surgeon to try to get help and brought x-rays. I really begged him to try so he sent me for a test that took three hours to numb.
It is when a camera is inserted and can see underneath the bone. Couldn't have MRI because of Morphine pump.
When I returned for an office visit a resident was with the Dr. he looked at it and said the first image didn't look severe and DR said look at 2nd page. The resident did and said, OMG that is unbelievable, the test revealed the whole socket was deformed and it was severe. The Dr. said okay I'll operate on you. He did and my outcome was fabulous. I was up to par in no time. Overall, I have had 8 joint replacements on 8 different joints. I've had over 25 years of arthritis. Replacement surgery isn't like stiches it involves a lot of muscles and nerves being cut-then the recovery time. It takes at least three months to feel OK and one year to completely heal, and each outcome is different. I listened to the doctors they caution not to punish you, but to achieve a good outcome.
I know it's hard but why mess it up? I don't know your age, but you have to slow down. I haven't driven for 4 years; I know it is frustrating but if you need help ask for it. Good luck!
the
Very helpful. I had reverse shoulder replacement because of arthritis in October. Still too soon to tell but optimistic, other than the soreness and limitations inherent in joint replacement, I am optimistic I will get a degree of mobility back in my shoulder/arm that I did not have before because of severe arthritis (and no arthritis pain)
I've needed mine replaced for over a year. I calculated that from the first time cortisone shot no longer helped. Then the CT showed calcification. I had things I needed to do this year and put it off. A recent doctors visit confirmed how bad it it and I was warned the bones needed to fasten the replacement parts to were wearing out and don't last forever. I guess there's no choice. I was hoping for a miracle development.
The last time I checked, it's a 2-4 month wait to get it done before the healing etc.
Please understand that there are a lot of these surgeries that go through with no issues. Over the seven months that I've been seen in my surgeon's office where I've been undergoing occupational therapy for my hand. I have met plenty of people that have not had any issues. That's why I finally turned to this support group because what I'm going through is not typical. I wish you the best of luck.
@spcb You are absolutely correct. If I were commenting on the surgeries I'd had prior to 2020 I'd be waving positive flags. Then I had a major spine surgery that put me in the chronic pain category. I needed a hip replacement but since I saw the spine surgeon first (a very experienced close to 60 year old that I took my 90 yo mother to) I trusted him and he reviewed the MRI and convinced me to get a much bigger procedure than I needed. So I get really long rods etc instead of a hip replacement. Then Covid delays basically getting the hip done in March 2022. It was the easiest, best relief of pain I ever experienced. However I'm on 40mg a day of Oxycodone and had shots, etc in my back. So I wish I has less trust before the spine surgery in 2020 and saw the hip doc first. I think this is kind of common, getting sold an MRI that says a patient needs a procedure because by the time we get old everything is full of arthritis or worse injuries. When we go to a particular surgeon, they can sell their services. So I'm a bit more hesitant getting my shoulder done because it has a long recovery by my understanding. Finally we're all different. I'll never forget how much pain I was in waiting for the new hip. I hated the world for months. The hospital shut down electives for two months because it was inundated by covid patients. When I woke up from the hip surgery the pain was gone. When I got home that evening I could walk up the eleven steps to our bedroom. I was pain free after years of pain and started PT the next day. My back is ruined but I can walk better. The back is now hindering my ability to walk. That's what the back surgery was supposed to help. Now I'm dealing with H pylori after rectal bleeding. What a strange trip this has been. Never heard of it before? Me either. A lot of people have it and don't know about it.