Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Recovery process

Mimi,
On Dec. 9th I had a Reverse TSR of right arm. I had 1 day of bad pain and after 5 days was off opiates for pain. Last week I had my 3rd PT session and was told my range of motion far exceeded expectations. So far I am very happy and believe that the key to recovery is being in as best shape as you can be thru proper exercise.
Regarding your living alone, the Ortho. group I go to insists that all patients go through Joint Camp with a coach. The camp explains exactly what will happen and your coach is taught how to keep you safe from falls and on track with instructions.
I am almost 75.

Have you reached out to a physical therapist? They can help a lot. I know that personally. It’s not an easy journey but they get you there. I had a bad surgery TKR. And it was more than a year before I got to a place where I could function. I still cannot do what I used to (no long walks or dancing and I have to ask for help with a lot of things) but I’m improved. I wish you all the best.

May I ask which surgeon you used in Rochester?

I had an LRSP in 2019. The recovery was a breeze and no pain at all to my surprise. Then three weeks in a sling is a little tricky, but keeping the ice machine going was a problem. Luckily, my daughter flew home from Italy for three weeks till the sling was gone. After that, it gets easier, then keep your PT going and do your home exercises. That is important to your ROM. Now I need my right shoulder done which has no ROM.
Have easy-to-wear clothes to put on, so you can dress yourself without too much trouble, I slept fine by sleeping upright. The biggest problem for me was eating and writing because I am left-handed. Next time I might not be so lucky to have my daughter home. Then I will have to look for a helping hand and we live out in the country on the farm, with not a lot of helping hands around. But I guess I will meet that when the time comes. Those first three are the most important to recovery and the hardest to manage.
Keep in touch as to how you come out and maybe you will find some new tricks to manage those weeks with not much help. Keep healthy and well. KLH

I am scheduled for shoulder replacement at the end of November. Has anyone begun PT prior to surgery? Would that make sense?

Good luck with your surgery. I had both knees replaced this year, and I did extensive PT before surgery. So I would say yes. That said, you don't want to hurt the shoulder or be in pain. I would arrange PT through your surgeon.

My recoveries were relatively fast and went well. Again, these are knees not shoulders. But PT before and after surgery are probably among the most important factors leading to success.

Thanks for your response. I will look into PT prior to surgery.

@tfarizona Hi, I had an LRSP end of 2018. I was working full time and doing my farm chores when I got home. My range of motion was not good. My muscles were torn and bone on bone. At the time I did not want to make matters, so for me, there was no extra PT till three weeks after surgery. I would check with your surgeon for their opinion.
Now I need an RRSP for my ROM is very poor and the pain comes and goes. My muscles are torn and so is my bicep. I would not want to do PT for fear I would make matter worse before surgery.
It probably depends on much damage has already been done. Not looking forward to another surgery but I would like to use two arms. KLH

Thanks for your response.

Good evening @tfarizona. I read your post before my walk this evening and then spent some time thinking about it while swinging in a swing along the Mississippi. My shoulder surgery was a reverse meaning that what I call the "ball and socket" are switched. It was also my third surgery on that shoulder which means that I had been in considerable pain and discomfort for quite some time.

Here is what Mayo Clinic states about PT prior to shoulder replacement......"Mayo Clinic provides dedicated, individualized physical therapy sessions for all patients prior to surgery." I can attest to the purported individualization as I am currently in a patient unique PT program to prevent falling by increasing my strength and balance.

Is your surgery scheduled at Mayo Clinic?

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris