What different types of shoulder surgery have people had?

Posted by jprust @jprust, Jul 5, 2023

I am in my 70’s. Two years ago I was thrown off an electric bike and tore my rotator cuff, biceps etc. on my right side. Had surgery and recovered fine. Now a few months ago while cleaning house and moving furniture, I retore the rotator cuff. Have had two steroid injections.
Then last week I was carrying luggage on my left shoulder and transferred a jug of water to the other hand and felt a crunch. Now the doc said my left rotator cuff is torn and he sees a lot of arthritis in both shoulders.
I have been researching all the different shoulder surgery options, especially for older people with arthritis.
There is BioEnthesis which is an implant developed at Purdue University. It is the bridge to attaching muscle/tendon to bone. Anyone had this done?
There is Smooth and Move, developed at the University of Washington that has a very short recovery time.
There are reverse shoulder replacements, which is what my surgeon mentioned. He also talked about using the deltoid muscle to do the same job as the rotator cuff, but is this the same as a reverse shoulder replacement?
I am active-I kayak, golf, swim laps, garden, and do most of the work around the house. My spouse is waiting for a kidney transplant, so I am worried that two shoulder surgeries will make it difficult to care for him. Gosh, sorry for such a long post.

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@jprust
I've had 3 stabilization surgeries because of chronic dislocations caused by seizures.
Now they want to do bilateral shoulder replacement surgery.
As long as I can function with the limited range of motion and pain I'll not have any more surgery.
Take care,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@jprust
I've had 3 stabilization surgeries because of chronic dislocations caused by seizures.
Now they want to do bilateral shoulder replacement surgery.
As long as I can function with the limited range of motion and pain I'll not have any more surgery.
Take care,
Jake

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I understand what you are saying. I also consider that option of not doing anything. But I worry that it will keep getting worse and then I will be nonfunctional. Or too old to benefit.

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@jprust
I'm going to put a positive spin it and hope they don't get much worse. If they do, it will be my new normal.
Besides, who's to say the surgery will be successful?
Take care,
Jake

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I am 75 had. Reverse shoulder 2 years ago . I am very happy with it no problems I had a great surgeon and I went into surgery with a very positive attitude I think having a positive mindset is very important..

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@jakedduck1

@jprust
I'm going to put a positive spin it and hope they don't get much worse. If they do, it will be my new normal.
Besides, who's to say the surgery will be successful?
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

I had a rotator cuff surgery at 72. A dissolvable plate was put in. Took 8 mos to feel good again but it was totally worth it. I have 90% range of motion. Finding an experienced doctor is key. Good luck. Don't suffer - just do it!
P.S. You will need help the first 2 weeks.

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I had surgery in Feb. to repair my torn rotator cuff and bicep, and have already recovered normal strength. I’ve had numerous surgeries due to my weak hyper mobile joints, which have almost always restored functionality. PT and OT with a good therapist has been clutch.

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jprust, I have had 2 shoulder surgeries and facing a third possibly. I had a frozen shoulder in the left one back in 1999 and had surgery and PT. Injection, PT, chiropractic care and exercise daily would not break the shoulder loose and so I had no chose but to have the surgery. It took 4 months to get my full range of motion back. The right shoulder was operated on in 2002 with frozen shoulder and bone spur and I had a nerve block. I didn't do as well with the 2nd surgery or having a nerve block. I actually had more pain with the nerve block for some reason. I took PT and it took 4 months to completely to get range of motion back. (Slow Healer!) I now have bursitis, arthritis and a bone spur in the left shoulder and the cortisone shots are not lasting as long. An MRI may by coming up soon with scoping the shoulder and cleaning out the arthritis and removing the bone spur. I have not had extensive surgery like a lot of you posted, but, every shoudler surgery thus far has gone well and I was glad to be able to get back to normal in 4 months each time after both surgeries. God Bless You!

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Hi all,
I thought you might appreciate these related discussions:
- Shoulder Replacement Support Group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-replacement-support-group/
- Considering Shoulder Replacement due to Osteoarthritis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-replacement-7/
- Success stories: Reverse shoulder replacement surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-surgery/
- Shoulder Replacement: Alternative options for arthritis?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-arthritis-options/

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I had arthroscopic surgery in May to repair a labrum tear, but also to remove a lot of arthritic spurs at the acromioclavicular joint - where the clavicle joins the acromion at the top of the shoulder. In a restrictive sling for 6 weeks - had at-home aid to take showers/dress and in-home PT, now doing outpatient PT to strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion.

Have similar issues and pain in the right shoulder and had a cortisone injection yesterday on that.

The left shoulder is still stiff and does hurt, but far less than pre-surgery. It is fairly functional, just have to avoid over-working it. Right now, the right shoulder is more painful than the left, thus the injection to delay similar surgery on the right.

Both shoulders' issues were likely caused by injury maybe 25 years ago? and just got worse over time.

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I just had my 3 month follow up for a total right shoulder replacement. I couldn't have a nerve block because of a recent atrial valve replacement. I started PT a week after surgery and had full range of motion in a short time and experienced very little pain. I'm 72, in relatively good health except for severe CIDP. I have just a little pain with a certain motion, and the surgeon promised that some exercises and general use should clear that up fairly soon, and it is getting better. I'm lousy at doing exercises regularly, but because of all of the physical work involved in taking care of around an acre of yard and gardens, beside all of the housework, it adds up to a fair amount of exercise.

I just wish there were a cure for CIDP. The pain is pretty intense, and after more than ten years of trying every medication doctors can think of, and in spite of the bit of benefit from a spinal cord stimulator, I live with non-stop pain in my feet and ankles, moving up to my knees. It's better when I'm up doing things, but as soon as I sit down or lie down, it jumps up to 7+. It's possible that living with pain, my shoulder replacement pain was unnoticeable. Whatever the reason, I'm thankful for a shoulder that doesn't hurt anymore.

Jim

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