Shoulder Bone-on-bone surgery alternative for seniors

Are you familiar with shoulder reverse surgery ? I hear much less time to recover tho it is surgery.

In my case the reverse shoulder replacement has got to be the most difficult surgery for me yet. I had my RSR surgery in late September of 2024. I'm still wondering if I made the correct choice. My shoulder prior to the surgery was bone on bone and I had some pain and weakness. Now it is intolorable at times.I have done hours of physical therapy and haven't turned the corner. I can't say much good about it so far.Its just painful and very weak. I would not do it again.

These responses are all supportive of not getting these surgeries. I have found clinics that do ablations on the nerves and add substance between joints. Insurance does not cover these and this makes me wonder why.

I am seventy-five years old and had the reverse shoulder replacement twelve das ago. I left the hospital after the surgery that day. The doctor prescribed pain medicine and inflammatory medicine. Since I had minimal pain I opted to take Tylenol and baby aspirin, but I do take the inflammatory medicine daily.
It is too early to tell if my range of movement improved. I religiously follow the post op instructions, arm in sling 24/7. Nothing heavier then a pen in my left hand. I see the doctor in five days to remove stiches and start Physical Therapy.
Bottom Line: I am pleasantly surprised that my pain level is about a 1-2 out of 10. I realize it is very early in my recovery process but compared to the pain and mobility before the operation, I am grateful that I opted for the surgery. At this point, I am looking forward to reverse shoulder replacement on my right shoulder. More to follow as I recover. I am keeping a log of my post op progress.

You are early in your journey. Ice machine was my pain relief. It’s a marathon takes time patience.

speedy recovery

I’m retired and my insurance pays for the ablations. I’ve had many on my back, and knee. Will be doing shoulder soon.

That is positive. Please be sure and come back here when you have it done to your shoulders. Is there a recovery time? Do you have this done in hospital?

I am being told that I need a reverse shoulder replacement because of the deterioration from years of RA, Osteo, and Scleroderma. I have had Cortisone injections that have helped in the past. I am wondering if there is any feedback from others on stem cell? or anything besides going under the knife. Thanks in advance for any info!

Good eveningk @alanhansen. and welcome to Mayo Connect. I just noticed this post about your shoulder and my memory took me back to a similar life situation. I had injured and "over used" my right shoulder for several years. Softball and horseback riding along with a few falls here and there had left me with constant pain in my right shoulder. Building and remodeling homes also forced my right shoulder to keep "whining". So I agreed to the first repair surgery. It turned out well and then I fell down the mountain at the American Legion. With multiple breaks in the elbow and more serious injuries in the shoulder the surgeon gave it another chance with shoulder repairs. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite enough.

About that time shoulder replacement surgery was becoming successful in France. After hearing about the results in the US in Florida and Washington state, he flew to the East Coast to learn how to accomplish the reverse shoulder replacement. He returned with some films that he shared with me and began the greatest struggle......convincing the insurance company to pay for the reverse shoulder sugery. As you might imagine, the insurance folks wanted an older patient so that there wouldn't be lot of years left for me to bang it up again.

The surgery day arrived and there was quite an audience including some engineers or so I was told. My surgeon actually stayed with me in my room that evening and the anesthesist stoppped by to make sure I could sleep.

My recovery was well supported. Even the Physical Therapist worked with the surgeon to make sure they were giving my shoulder every chance. I am living the rest of my life with the comfortable use of rwo shoulders.

Soooo......what do you think?

Please let me know what you decide. There have been lots of improvements. Now you can have the replacement made to fit you well. And the post surgery care is much more timely and affective.

Let me know if you have additional questions or worries.
Chris