Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Good afternoon @crash87473gmailcom, Welcome, welcome, welcome to Connect. I am glad I get to meet you within minutes of your arrival. As mentors, we have all been there done that in some way, and have patient memories to share and help others. It just so happens that I also have had a reverse total shoulder replacement. It was much needed after falling down a mountain and dislocating my shoulder in addition to breaking my elbow in a few places.

The shoulder surgery did not present a painful and difficult recovery. Your shoulder will most likely be in an immobilizer sling. You may also want to make sure you have an ice machine to keep the surgical area cold to prevent swelling. If you can......find a way to protect your shoulder during sleep at night. I found it easiest to keep the surgical shoulder close to the body by using a T-shirt to just pull over your head...no arms in the armholes.

So...you can begin PT when your surgeon feels you are ready to start with arm circles or some other small movement. And then you may feel ready to go to work....not to hit the floor running but to do whatever doesn't place your surgery at risk?

I don't know what you do......so can't predict how long it will be before you can go back to work. Have you asked that question of your surgeon? I think I went back to work within two weeks because I owned the business and needed to at least put in an appearance so my customers trusted that I wasn't running out on them.

When you say that there is no light duty.....what do you mean? Remember, you do not want to take any chances with your new shoulder. Also, in some states, you are not allowed to drive while using a sling.

May you find comfort and ease.
Chris

Thanks Chris! I was working in a grocery store and I got hurt pushing carts. They said there is no light duty on my job. I will just wait it out.

Hi there once again. I must admit, I was glad to have a friend come and spend three or four days with me. You will only have one hand so washing your hair and bathing requires a bit of help while you are in the immobilizer. You can have meals delivered and hire a driver to pick you up and take you to appointments and PT.

You may need help dressing and undressing. Tying shoes can be a challenge. Maybe you should try some of these daily chore activities with only one arm this week. Figure out where you will need help and who can do it. Does your insurance cover in-home PT and personal assistance?

You may find that your surgical team includes access to a social services representative who can help you with shopping and washing clothes. My grandchildren came up on weekends to help in the business and at home. I had two cats and a Cavalier puppy. Another friend would stop by to make sure they were taken care of and fed.

Lists are helpful once you know who will be providing what assistance. It will all work out......as long as you remember that taking good care of your shoulder is at the top of the priority list.

Anything else you need help with. Transportation? Using a computer? Grocery shopping? House cleaning?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Oh wow....that's a real bummer considering you are having major shoulder surgery. And you are right....no lite duty. Perhaps there is something else you can do while healing before you return to the carts. Have you had a chance to talk to your manager? We have a wonderful grocery store here. They treat their employees like family. It always feels good to go shopping and see our "friends".

Isn't your surgery and care covered by Worker's Compensation?

Good luck. Give it a try......let them know what you are facing.
Chris

Good luck with your surgery, just be careful during you recovery, everything will be ok.....sending prayers to you. keep us updated.

Oh no….. my son needs knee surgery - makes me concerned. I liked your comment except for your knee.

I had RSP 21/2 years ago. It was my left shoulder and of course, I am left-handed. I was worried as you are but my son-in-law came up with a plan. Three days before the surgery he called from Italy where they were stationed and said we should go to the airport to pick up my daughter and granddaughter. And his mother was on the way to Italy to visit and take care of my grandson. I could not believe it. They stayed three weeks and by then I had the sling off and could do things for myself. My daughter did everything by cooking meals, helping me dress, hooking up the ice machine, and many other things. So I would say you will need outside help. Because you really can not do much for yourself. Surely there is some home care available that you can get. I would check with the hospital. I hope by now you have some help. That way your recovery will be faster. My thoughts are with you having been through this myself. Take care and keep in touch with your progress. I will like to know how you are doing. I now need my right shoulder replaced but have been putting it off. Stay safe and healthly. KLH

in reply @crash87473gmailcom it must be a week since your surgery was wondering how you were doing and did you find some help for the first three weeks, then you are not so helpless. I hope all went well and you are relaxing so your arm can heal before Pt. I would love to know how you are doing since I have to make the choice to have the other shoulder replaced. Stay well. KLH

I just had my reverse TSR done last Thursday, Oct 21, and am very pleased with my progress so far. I was intubated for the anesthesia, so my throat was sore and scratchy, but am mostly over that now. I felt no pain after the surgery or the first couple of post surgery days. I got Toradol via IV drip while in the hospital (came home the next day) and Tramadol to take at home. I quit the Tramadol the 2nd day home, because I hate the side effects, and didn't want to take laxatives for longer than to get the first bowel movements since laxatives give me terrible stomach cramps. I am alternating taking prescription Naproxen and 650 mg Acetaminophin. I had a med schedule designed for me, but due to sleeping and naps, I've adapted times to what works for me. My pain level is still very low, maybe 2 or 3 out of 10. It may fluctuate from a bit of itching or burning to low level aching, but at worst is less than my original arthritis shoulder pain. I have the Tramadol and Oxycodone in reserve, but I doubt I will need to use them.

I have been doing my hand and pendulum arm exercises three to five times a day. Real physical therapy will not start for two weeks. I really like the immobilizer that they gave me instead of a traditional sling. I can easily disconnect the wrist velcro from the waist if I need to do some small movements. I didn't think I could use a mouse, but with the wrist disconnected, I can rest my lower arm on my computer table and type and use the mouse. It's nice to have my husband around in case I need help with something, but it's pretty rare that I can't find a way to do it myself. I was already used to washing hair and showering with mostly just my left hand. With big loose tops with wide necks, I can dress myself, no need for a bra, since the immobilizer waist strap covers most of that up. Compared to my two TKR's (knee) I have had less pain and also better post-op sleep, I'd say this was definitely an easier surgery for me.

Congratulations on your successful reverse shoulder surgery. Good for you to be able to meet every challenge, including your computer mouse. I also liked the immobilizer. When I gave it up, I started wearing a vest over my shirt or sweater. Then I held onto the edge with my surgery hand at just the right height to support the shoulder. That worked also.

How nice it must feel to be able to accept the challenges and figure out how to shower, wash your hair and enjoy the day in spite of the challenges.

Now that you mention it....I also think my reverse shoulder was less painful than either of my TKR's. Perhaps it is because the shoulder doesn't have to support us the way a knee does.

You must figure out a good sleep posture.....did you use a wedge?

May you continue to be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris