Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Recovery process

Posted by mimi99 @mimi99, Aug 1, 2018

I am scheduled for this surgery in September. I have been putting it off as long as possible, because I am worried about recovery. I don't have a lot of help and am very concerned with how well I will be able to handle daily living activities with the shoulder immobilizer. If anyone has gone through this recovery process, I would appreciate any advice or input you may have.

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This also happened to me. I had my 2nd surgery at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas Texas. I am recovering.
My surgery was Jan 12th. It has been painful, but a much better experience than the first. I go to PT there as well. Ice, CBD cream , and lidocain patches have helped tremendously. Getting a world class surgeon was worth it. I had to wait 2 months and my muscles completely atrophied, they tell me my recovery will take a year. I think that truly depends on the person. I am 2 1/2 months in and am lifting my arm chest height. I work hard at it every day.
One thing though; and it’s important, I have tight band syndrome. Very frustrating, but is common.
I push past it with determination. I also am a Believer in a God who heals. Marty

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@martydav

This also happened to me. I had my 2nd surgery at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas Texas. I am recovering.
My surgery was Jan 12th. It has been painful, but a much better experience than the first. I go to PT there as well. Ice, CBD cream , and lidocain patches have helped tremendously. Getting a world class surgeon was worth it. I had to wait 2 months and my muscles completely atrophied, they tell me my recovery will take a year. I think that truly depends on the person. I am 2 1/2 months in and am lifting my arm chest height. I work hard at it every day.
One thing though; and it’s important, I have tight band syndrome. Very frustrating, but is common.
I push past it with determination. I also am a Believer in a God who heals. Marty

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I'm not sure I understand both of your surgery causes. Did the reverse shoulder replacement dislocate so it needed to be replaced? When I hear that the ball popped out of the socket it has me very worried. Didn't know that could happen. I'm almost 5 months out from my 2nd surgery, reverse shoulder replacement, ...the first was a lower trapezius tendon transfer that didn't work. I'm still doing 10 different PT exercises and have just started hitting a tennis ball on the court. I can reach almost 180 above my head and have been told there are no restrictions. Dislocation???? ouch. Marty... I too have had God walking with me the whole way.

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@ltsally

I'm not sure I understand both of your surgery causes. Did the reverse shoulder replacement dislocate so it needed to be replaced? When I hear that the ball popped out of the socket it has me very worried. Didn't know that could happen. I'm almost 5 months out from my 2nd surgery, reverse shoulder replacement, ...the first was a lower trapezius tendon transfer that didn't work. I'm still doing 10 different PT exercises and have just started hitting a tennis ball on the court. I can reach almost 180 above my head and have been told there are no restrictions. Dislocation???? ouch. Marty... I too have had God walking with me the whole way.

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In my circumstance the ball didn’t disconnect from the socket. The ball started to come loose from its base. The great thing about the second surgery was that the surgeon was more skilled than the first (trauma) surgeon. I ended up with a better alignment with the rest of my shoulder along with bone chips being removed. Blessing in disguise.

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Am 2 years post op from a reverse total shoulder surgery had a great surgeon and a great therapist will need to continue exercises forever. It wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be, I was sent home with a cryocuff machine which is an ice water bath that was amazing. Therapy was not quick for me as it took me 12 years of pain n suffering since last shoulder surgery before doing something about it. I definitely needed help aunt allowed to take shower or wash hair for a week, that was worst for me. I was slower in my recovery than most but got there. I also continue to get occasional dry needling because sometimes I overdue it’s. Takes positive attitude, a good surgeon and good physical therapist and dedication to the exercise regimen. I purchased some tops from rebound wear for the surgery they are amazing has zippers everywhere so therapist and surgeon can get access by just unzipping arm
Good luck am having a total knee in May anyone have advice

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May I ask you if you had any tight band feelings around your arm at all. I do, and that is the worst of my pain.

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@dmk

Am 2 years post op from a reverse total shoulder surgery had a great surgeon and a great therapist will need to continue exercises forever. It wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be, I was sent home with a cryocuff machine which is an ice water bath that was amazing. Therapy was not quick for me as it took me 12 years of pain n suffering since last shoulder surgery before doing something about it. I definitely needed help aunt allowed to take shower or wash hair for a week, that was worst for me. I was slower in my recovery than most but got there. I also continue to get occasional dry needling because sometimes I overdue it’s. Takes positive attitude, a good surgeon and good physical therapist and dedication to the exercise regimen. I purchased some tops from rebound wear for the surgery they are amazing has zippers everywhere so therapist and surgeon can get access by just unzipping arm
Good luck am having a total knee in May anyone have advice

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@dmk Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Thank you for the success story. It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience to give.

Members like @martydav @ltsally @bernster might benefit from your experience.

May I ask what brings you to Connect?

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Am getting prepared for another joint replacement a TKR, wanted to see if anyone had ideas on preparing for it, things to have in house, clothes to wear etc

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How long has it been for you post op. Most all the pain I had after surgery was more like an aching pain with some more sharp. It’s been two years post op in February and I still go for dry needling and with my physical therapist now only once a month and tapes me. Even though it’s painful to go through it has been an invaluable tool. Taping has helped a lot too. There was a muscle with bone in it that shouldn’t be there but surgeon had to leave it. I still have made progress in my second year. My therapist has given me a weekly regimen to do for forever. It includes pulleys, bands, and weights. I have had to learn my limits, as I tend to overdo it on occasion.

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@erikas

@dmk Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Thank you for the success story. It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience to give.

Members like @martydav @ltsally @bernster might benefit from your experience.

May I ask what brings you to Connect?

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I had shoulder replacement last September and after 8 weeks PT we discovered the hinge was separating from the ball. Waited two months for new surgery. I am now 21/2 months out.
I feel an anvil sitting on my shoulder with a tight band around my bicep. Deep pain continuously.
I’ve had nine weeks of PT and one round of dry needling. Will this pain ever go away?

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2 1/2 months in it will take a lot longer than that. Keep the faith dry needling and tape keeps me going 2 years ago feb

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