Total Shoulder Replacement: Any success stories out there?

Yes! I know exactly what you mean!! I have the same feeling at times. My dr says I am petite which may be why I can see where the hardware is “noticeable”. I have mentioned the rolling to the dr. I think therapy may help. I’m not the best judge as I did my therapy post surgery and am still in pain with daily movements. I am going for a nerve block and possibly acupuncture next week. Dr wants additional therapy once pain is better. It’s been a long road! Thanks! Good Luck to you!!

Thanks very much for this comment. I'm getting a left, anatomical TSR on Aug 6th, and we have a cruise booked for Nov 1. That leaves 12 weeks to go through initial recovery and PT. It sounds like I'll be fine as long as I pay attention to how I'm using my left arm.

I've had replacements for both knees and a hip. Especially with the knees, I've found new sources of patience.

I'm so glad you're doing well, and thanks again!

Joe

@heyjoe415

From your past posts, I have every confidence that you will sail through TSR just like your previous surgeries! One thing to note though, unless something has changed since I did my earlier research, anatomical TSR's require a longer motionless healing period than the reverse surgery does, because you are waiting for the rotator cuff muscles to heal. This means a longer wait before you can even start serious PT by some weeks, maybe up to a month. Since a lot of the rotator cuff is removed in a reverse procedure, there is nothing to wait for and PT begins much earlier. I'm sure you will have discussed all this with your surgeon or his support staff. I hope you check back in after your TSR and let us know how it goes for you!

I am glad someone with livestock has commented on the surgery. I need to have the surgery but I have sheep and Border Collies and wondering how I will manage the care of the sheep during recovery. It is hard to find help for their care. I am wondering how long it would be before I could go to the barn and care for them using the good arm but in a farm setting?

Just had my 1 year visit with my doctor, he took several pictures of my shoulder (X-ray) and everything was as it should be. I had the Total Reverse Shoulder Replacement. My feeling was it was a complete success. The pain, which is why I had it done, was totally gone, that is what this procedure is all about. I didn’t expect it to be like the right after all there are a lot of changes made. I’m not going to go through each change as you doctor should be doing that. What I do have to be careful of now is dislocation, but I knew this going in too. Anyway, I’m happy with the entire procedure.

Thanks ddsack, and you are correct! I believe the subscapularis is released at the tendon so the surgeon has access to the shoulder joint. When he closes, he must use sutures to reattach the subscapularis to the tendon. That takes time to heal, and I will be in a sling for all of it.

My PT doesn't start until 4 weeks after surgery! During that 4 weeks I will use a continuous passive motion machine to keep my shoulder moving, gently!

I expect to be "functionally mobile" after the PT, so about two months. It will take another 4 months to rebuild arm, deltoid, and upper back strength. I'm working with my trainer now to go into the surgery as strong and fit as possible.

And you're correct about a rTSR. The reverse method is necessary because the RC is damaged. After the replacement, the deltoids take the place of the RC to hold the shoulder in place. I don't know why people seem afraid of the procedure. There is a greater probability of dislocation, but as you note, an easier initial recovery.

Out of all my replacements, knees and hip, this is the one I don't look forward to, and mainly because of the 4 weeks of doing nothing, and sleeping propped up on my back. But the daily pain now is too much, and I'm severely limited with upper body work in the gym. It's just time to get it done.

Thanks so much for your kind words and for thinking about me!

Joe

Hey Spider thanks so much. I'm glad the pain is gone - that's the beauty of joint replacement. And yeah while dislocation is a risk in a reverse, I can't believe it's a huge risk. Well done!

Joe

I am almost four weeks post reverse shoulder replacement, and so far the recovery has been easy. I started PT within a week, but the exercises are basically gentle range of motion ones. Strengthening will begin at six weeks. At my first postop appointment with my surgeon’s PA (at two weeks) I was told the sling was optional. Still no weight-bearing and no overhead reaching or behind the back reaching allowed, but otherwise use of the arm is encouraged. I can type, feed myself, do the dishes, get dressed without help (surgery was on my dominant arm). I am planning to start driving soon. So, except for the first painful week, recovery has been going along well. Of course, I am aware that regaining full use of the shoulder will take 6-9 months, but I believe it will be very functional well before that. I will probably have the same surgery with the same surgeon on my left shoulder next winter.

That is amazing. My retired friend also had this, bi-lateral reverse shoulder replacement and he is doing well, back to golfing, etc. He went to Mayo in Rochester for this procedure.

Dr Isrealsen in Gillette, WY did a reverse shoulder replacement for me. Never had any pain. Shoulder works great.