Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Posted by basslakebabe19 @basslakebabe19, Feb 17, 2020

Last week, I had a reverse shoulder replacement procedure on my left shoulder. It was very painful the first day. After that, it feels pretty darn good!

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@starfirey2k

Reverse shoulder replacement is a type of shoulder replacement in which the normal ball and socket relationship of glenohumeral joint is reversed, creating a more stable joint with a fixed fulcrum, Wikipedia

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I'm am planning on a reverse shoulder replacement. What is a "fixed Fulcrum"

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@mashelly

I'm 11 week's out of surgery, the only pain I ever have is the commitment to any physical therapy, and prescribed exercises to do. You need to be tough and continue with any exercise prescribed, but in general I feel pretty good, and am glad I had the surgery. Sure beats all pain I had before. Thank You! Kathy

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After two hip replacements and two knee replacements I am so, so,used to what you go thru during physical therapy
along with what you have to do at home. If you don't mind my asking....what kind of clothes did you have to wear to cover up and stay warm (or cool)?

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@yardsaler1

After two hip replacements and two knee replacements I am so, so,used to what you go thru during physical therapy
along with what you have to do at home. If you don't mind my asking....what kind of clothes did you have to wear to cover up and stay warm (or cool)?

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Being it has been an extremely humid summer in MN. I had clothing that were stretchy tank tops shorts, anything sleeveless, easier to get in and out of. All my tops were pullovers. You will always walk clothing over affected shoulder first, any material that has stretch, worked well for myself.

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@mashelly

Being it has been an extremely humid summer in MN. I had clothing that were stretchy tank tops shorts, anything sleeveless, easier to get in and out of. All my tops were pullovers. You will always walk clothing over affected shoulder first, any material that has stretch, worked well for myself.

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Thanks. I was thinking about going to Goodwill and getting some XL men's shirts to wear over the affected arm and button in front. Have to think about it.

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@yardsaler1

I'm a 79 year woman and need reverse shoulder replacement surgery. How long do I have to wait before Physical Therapy? Is recovery painful altho I'm sure the pain during recovery is much less than the pain I'm having now. What about clothes, showers, driving?

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I had an RSP almost two years ago. I was surprised when I had no pain at all. I used the ice machine as ordered and rested for three weeks. At two weeks I got the sling taken off. I was given a list of exercises and at six weeks started PT. Now I have exercises to do daily. I am left-handed but I could still write and eat. I was lucky that my son-in-law sent my daughter and granddaughter home from Italy to help for the three weeks. Which left my other half the time to take care of the farm and cattle instead of me. I would say I still do not have a full range of motion. I can not reach under my right arm or behind my back. And if I do too much my shoulder aches a little. Every few months I see my surgeon and he gives me a shot in the shoulder. Also, my muscles are shrinking slowly away from my shoulder. But for the most part, I can do what I need to and also help with fencing, putting up hay, and work in my garden. Now I have to decide when to have the right shoulder done and if my daughter can come home to help. And she is on the other side of the states. As far as clothing I just wore a sweatshirt and put my sling on. To take a shower we wrapped my arm in a plastic bag and I had no problem eating or writing. I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect. Just be safe and stay well.

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@kilh

I had an RSP almost two years ago. I was surprised when I had no pain at all. I used the ice machine as ordered and rested for three weeks. At two weeks I got the sling taken off. I was given a list of exercises and at six weeks started PT. Now I have exercises to do daily. I am left-handed but I could still write and eat. I was lucky that my son-in-law sent my daughter and granddaughter home from Italy to help for the three weeks. Which left my other half the time to take care of the farm and cattle instead of me. I would say I still do not have a full range of motion. I can not reach under my right arm or behind my back. And if I do too much my shoulder aches a little. Every few months I see my surgeon and he gives me a shot in the shoulder. Also, my muscles are shrinking slowly away from my shoulder. But for the most part, I can do what I need to and also help with fencing, putting up hay, and work in my garden. Now I have to decide when to have the right shoulder done and if my daughter can come home to help. And she is on the other side of the states. As far as clothing I just wore a sweatshirt and put my sling on. To take a shower we wrapped my arm in a plastic bag and I had no problem eating or writing. I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect. Just be safe and stay well.

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Thanks for your detailed account of your recovery. I'm just glad I don't have a fence to repair, hay to put up, or garden work. In what area of the country is your farm? Was your arm inside the sweatshirt or thru the sleeve to the outside? Thanks again, Maxine

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@yardsaler1

Thanks for your detailed account of your recovery. I'm just glad I don't have a fence to repair, hay to put up, or garden work. In what area of the country is your farm? Was your arm inside the sweatshirt or thru the sleeve to the outside? Thanks again, Maxine

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we live in the midwest. My sweatshirt was on as it is supposed to be. I am cold all the time so I usually have alot of clothes on to keep warm especially when we start the ice water flowing. As far as sleeping I sat up in bed with lots of pillows for support. Even after the sling came off. My PA let me take the sling away at 21/2 weeks. And we stopped the ice at 3 weeks. Then my daughter went home. Right now I am canning tomato juice and using my left arm to sieve the pulp so my muscles and joints are getting a workout and my left shoulder and it is getting sore. So I only do a batch every couple of days. If I can help with any other questions let me know. I was so surprised to wake up and never any pain. Hope all goes well with you and stay healthly.

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@yardsaler1

I'm am planning on a reverse shoulder replacement. What is a "fixed Fulcrum"

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Constrained shoulder arthroplasty is characterised by mechanical coupling of the humeral and glenoid components around a fixed center of rotation (hence the terminology “fixed-fulcrum” total shoulder arthroplasty).Jul 18, 2016

Constrained fixed-fulcrum reverse shoulder arthroplasty ...

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It’s now 2021 and I can swing dance with ease. Pretty amazing!

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I had reverse shoulder replacement in Dec. 2017. I did all my PT faithfully and I believe I have full range of motion with only occasional pain. You swing dance and I’ll play Pennsylvania 6-5000! ( I can’t walk, though, due to disastrous knee replacement! :-()

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