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Total Shoulder Replacement so far soooo good

Posted by daveyjanes @daveyjanes, 6 days ago

I came to Mayo Connect as I was heading into a TSR (not reverse) and looking for advice or support or at least a report and now five weeks post surgery want to report that I’m better than new. Already nearly total range of motion returned and doing some small strength training in PT. Only question is why did I wait 2 years to do this?😀. Feel free to contact me if you need support or an update as I continue to heal. So far soooo good.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

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besmith57 | @besmith57 | 1 day ago
In reply to @slarson14 "@besmith57 I had a total shoulder replacement on October 15, 2025. Am 70, female. I only..." + (show)
Profile picture for slarson14 @slarson14

@besmith57 I had a total shoulder replacement on October 15, 2025. Am 70, female. I only needed the oxycontin so I could sleep sitting up in a recliner for the first couple weeks post surgery. Very little pain from the surgery. They gave me a nerve block before the surgery, then I was under general anesthesia for the procedure. Nerve block wore off about 3-4 hours after I got home from the surgery, but the pain was only about a 4-5 at most, once that wore off.

Be sure to use ice for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Take it slow and easy. The ice keeps the joint inflammation at bay and I found the ice the most relaxing nice to feel thing early on.

Physical therapy is essential, and do exercises they tell you to do, when the time comes.

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@slarson14
Thank you for your advice. How are you doing now, almost 2 months post-surgery? Were you not able to sleep in your bed? I would need something to sleep in a recliner, too. I heard of other people being sent home with the nerve block that didn't have pain for 4 days. That's what I want! LOL Did you have to buy new clothes to wear that you were able to put on with one hand? There's a lot to think and plan for. I'm terrible at using my left hand. I hope you're doing well now,

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slarson14 | @slarson14 | 12 hours ago

I too am very right handed and my surgery was on the right, of course.
I went online and bought these stretchy t-shirts that have snaps on both shoulders and up each side. They were only $9.00 each! I wore those for about six weeks, because it just was simpler than struggling with moving my arm trying to dress...and the slings tend to tear up clothes.

I also went online and found a shoulder icepack that comes in a really nice performing cover; the pack goes in the freezer then when you are ready, you slide the icepack into the cover and strap it onto your shoulder.

Yes, sitting up to sleep was mandatory and the doctor ordered me to do so, because you don't want gravity to pool fluid in the new joint and that is what would happen if you didn't sleep in a recliner for 2-4 weeks. I got used to it and I never in my life could sleep in a chair/recliner or even in an airline seat. But I did and it was worth it. It wasn't great sleep but healing and doing what the doc told me to do was key, I think.

The other thing is that sometimes I would get impatient waiting for healing, but learned real quick: don't overdue it, stay in the sling, but be sure to take a few minutes out of the sling now and again to stretch your bicep and elbow gently. I had more discomfort from keeping my elbow bent in that sling 24/7 than anything else.

Also, when I got home I bent over to pick up something and didn't realize the nerve block was still engaged and when I bent over my right arm (surgery side) slid right out of the sling!! It scared me to death and I didn't realize what a dead weight a nerve blocked arm is! So be very careful while the nerve block is still working, not to lose control of the numb arm; be sure to use your good hand to HOLD that arm so it doesn't slide out of the sling like mine did. It didn't hurt so much as surprised me how heavy my nerve dead arm was, and it just had a mind of its own and slipped right out! That was a whole new experience....

Good luck, don't worry too much about the pain. The meds and icing it will do the job.

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besmith57 | @besmith57 | 10 minutes ago
In reply to @slarson14 "I too am very right handed and my surgery was on the right, of course. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for slarson14 @slarson14

I too am very right handed and my surgery was on the right, of course.
I went online and bought these stretchy t-shirts that have snaps on both shoulders and up each side. They were only $9.00 each! I wore those for about six weeks, because it just was simpler than struggling with moving my arm trying to dress...and the slings tend to tear up clothes.

I also went online and found a shoulder icepack that comes in a really nice performing cover; the pack goes in the freezer then when you are ready, you slide the icepack into the cover and strap it onto your shoulder.

Yes, sitting up to sleep was mandatory and the doctor ordered me to do so, because you don't want gravity to pool fluid in the new joint and that is what would happen if you didn't sleep in a recliner for 2-4 weeks. I got used to it and I never in my life could sleep in a chair/recliner or even in an airline seat. But I did and it was worth it. It wasn't great sleep but healing and doing what the doc told me to do was key, I think.

The other thing is that sometimes I would get impatient waiting for healing, but learned real quick: don't overdue it, stay in the sling, but be sure to take a few minutes out of the sling now and again to stretch your bicep and elbow gently. I had more discomfort from keeping my elbow bent in that sling 24/7 than anything else.

Also, when I got home I bent over to pick up something and didn't realize the nerve block was still engaged and when I bent over my right arm (surgery side) slid right out of the sling!! It scared me to death and I didn't realize what a dead weight a nerve blocked arm is! So be very careful while the nerve block is still working, not to lose control of the numb arm; be sure to use your good hand to HOLD that arm so it doesn't slide out of the sling like mine did. It didn't hurt so much as surprised me how heavy my nerve dead arm was, and it just had a mind of its own and slipped right out! That was a whole new experience....

Good luck, don't worry too much about the pain. The meds and icing it will do the job.

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@slarson14
Thank you for answering my questions! I'm sure I will have more.
Where did you buy the snap-up t-shirts? The hospital didn't send you home with an ice pack? I want to be ready for when I have the surgery.

Sleeping in a recliner will be hard. Hoping the pain pills will help with that. I can only fall asleep when I'm trying to watch the end of a TV show late at night. LOL
I'm trying not to stress out too much. The surgery won't be until February. I'm just an anxious person by nature.
I really appreciate your experiences. Did the things you bought come from Amazon?
I hope you continue to improve!

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