Recovery from reverse shoulder replacement

Six months post-op. I am 78 years old.

I had two months of physical therapy, starting two months post-op. At the same time, I was given twice-a-day exercises to do at home. After the two months of PT, I continued a regimen of twice-a-day exercises, and I am still doing them. At that point I was able to return to my three day a week volunteer job at the hospital, pushing wheelchairs, giving directions, checking people in to surgery and clinics.

I am virtually pain-free. There is slight pain when I do the exercises that involve lifting my arm to the side and over my head, and I still cannot sleep for more than about 15 minutes on my right side (the surgical side). Both of those conditions are slowly improving. It is slowly getting easier to lift my arm straight out to the side.

My primary range of motion limitation is that I can't reach around to the middle of my back. In fact, I can barely access my right rear pocket. Also, I cannot quite reach as far overhead with that arm.

The surgery was definitely worth the pain and inconvenience. I strongly recommend using an ice machine for the first couple weeks after surgery; it made that tough period much easier.

An Accidental Alternate Solution
I was scheduled for reverse total shoulder replacement after a fall which caused a fracture of my humerus. The piece from that fracture tore my rotator cuff tendons, and two different orthopedic doctors said the X-rays and MRI indicated physical therapy and steroid injections were not likely to be a viable solution. I was doing PT while waiting for the surgery and getting some improved range of motion and some relief of pain, but I reached somewhat of a plateau and couldn't get any better. I ended up at a dermatologist because of getting hives, and she said the best relief of the swelling and itching was a steroid shot. Within 24 hours of that shot given in my hip, my hives were much better, and so was my shoulder. A couple of days later, I noticed greatly improved range of motion and almost no pain. With 6 weeks of physical therapy, I now have 40 degrees of improved range of motion - as good as my other shoulder and no pain. I still have a little less strength in that shoulder, but it is also improving. None of us know if this will last, but who would have guessed that having hives could be such a blessing.

Now in July of 2025, over a year and a half since the steroid injection, I continue to be free of pain in that shoulder and have full use of that arm. I am ever thankful and wish that everyone could get this kind of relief without having to undergo surgery.

Looking back at my visit summary, it was "Kenalog 40 at a dose of (200mg/per 5ml) - 1.5cc IL was injected intramuscularly to Left Gluteus Medius- without complications. "

She also prescribed oral prednisone tablets for a few days.
As I mentioned in my original posting, I went in to see the dermatologist with a case of hives and just noticed that my shoulder was feeling much better and I could lift my arm several inches higher than before. I continued with PT for a good while, and couldn't be happier with how my shoulder has done.

I’m glad I found this thread; I have a question.
I’m a 70 yr old female, avid gym rat, weight lifter( not power lifter but significant weight) backpacker, etc.
In March I was diagnosed with rotator cuff arthropathy and reverse shoulder replacement was recommended, which I refused. I did PT which helped, but the pain is coming back and I’ve still not regained total strength in that arm.
Has anyone in my situation had this surgery and regained most or all of their strength?
I’ve been reading a lot on Dr Google about permanent restrictions and it’s pretty depressing. I’d like to hear from actual people though.
Anyone try prp or stem cells?
Thanks

I am a 77 year old female, my reverse TSR was about four years ago. My vertical reach and arm mobility were back to normal by about the 4th month. I do a lot of gardening, dragging long hoses , stock panel support sections, lifting heavy pots and water buckets. My arm feels normal and I am not even aware of the reverse prosthesis. I have to consciously stop myself and use my "good" left arm for picking up heavier buckets. In post-surgery PT, I was put on various weight lifting machines to help with arm strength towards end of my term. My surgeon said it's the way you lift, not the weight itself that is important, (within reason, of course.) You need to keep your elbow bent, so that your muscles take and carry the weight as they normally should, you don't want a straight downward drag that only pulls on the shoulder joint. I don't think of myself self as having any permanent restrictions other than common sense. Two years ago, I overdid it before leaving for vacation and had acute shoulder pain on certain movements for several weeks. But by the time I got in for an appointment, it had resolved itself, so we decided it was just bursitis and nothing to do with the TSR. Have had no problems since. My reason for having the surgery initially was constant arthritic pain that was affecting me daily, and inability to raise my hand to my head, or lift anything heavier than a coffee cup. I am so pleased with my results and have no regrets.