Would like others experience on Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Posted by kcoxict @kcoxict, Jun 5, 2023

I'm scheduled for reverse TSR (left shoulder) in August. Right now I have great range of motion upward with my arm, no pain. Lateral moves hurt though, sleeping on it hurts and the arm is weak. I have a full through rotator cuff tear that is irreparable. Surgeon feels Reverse TSR is way to go but I'm worried if I'm making the right decision. Has anyone else had this done? I'm not quite 70 years old, in good physical health otherwise. Ten years ago I had rotator cuff tear repair and bicep repair on right shoulder for massive tear. Recuperation was the pitts!!
Needless to say I'm not looking forward to this though the surgeon keeps telling me replacement will be easier. Can anyone give me their experience the good, bad, ugly??
Thanks so much!!

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I've had both my shoulders done, and great results, pain is better. It'll take awhile for recovery but is worth it

Cori

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RTS best thing ! Less pain than a rotator cuff surgery..
Had mine 3 years ago I am a 75 year old woman and it’s the best surgery I have had!!!

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I had RSR left arm in 2018. Now need the right arm done. Had no pain. Remember to do your exercises and PT. That helped me a lot. KLH

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Greetings @kcoxict, you have quite a gathering of supporters showing up to help you with your decision about a Reverse Shoulder Replacement. I will happily join this group and shout encouragement. You mention that sleeping on the shoulder hurts. That bothered me also along with movement and support issues. My surgeon and physical therapist worked together and what my surgeon called the "Grand Canyon" of holes is now a pain-free and strong shoulder.

I actually had three surgeries on the right shoulder.......a rotator cuff repair attempt, a cadaver attempt and finally a reverse replacement. I am now a candidate for surgery on the other shoulder.

Did you know that you can now have a custom replacement created that fits your shoulder? When I had mine done there was no ability to create individually created material. The chances for a better and more accurate fit are now available.

Anything else you are interested in knowing to help with your decision?

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

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I had two reverse shoulder replacements four months apart during the pandemic. It is not an easy recovery. I went thru 17 months of physical therapy. I had a great deal of pain before the surgery. Now that it is over, i a glad I did it. But during recovery I was not sure.

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I am actually having a regular shoulder replacement in a few weeks. Since my Rotator Cuff is in good shape the surgeon says there is no need for a TRS. I actually talked to two surgeons. One was all about TRS. Without even looking at an MRI. The surgeon I selected wanted to look at the MRI first. All due to OA. Bone on bone. I am an active 68 year old that loves to kayak, Mtn. Bike, split wood, garden, climb, hike and weight lift. Surgeon says that after 3 months of PT and recovery I will be back enjoying my activities. I did a lot of research. There are great medical sites that helped. Blogs are OK but everyone is different. Do your homework. If your rotator Cuff is in good shape, why would you want a TRS?

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@downeast54

I am actually having a regular shoulder replacement in a few weeks. Since my Rotator Cuff is in good shape the surgeon says there is no need for a TRS. I actually talked to two surgeons. One was all about TRS. Without even looking at an MRI. The surgeon I selected wanted to look at the MRI first. All due to OA. Bone on bone. I am an active 68 year old that loves to kayak, Mtn. Bike, split wood, garden, climb, hike and weight lift. Surgeon says that after 3 months of PT and recovery I will be back enjoying my activities. I did a lot of research. There are great medical sites that helped. Blogs are OK but everyone is different. Do your homework. If your rotator Cuff is in good shape, why would you want a TRS?

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Unfortunately my rotator cuff is NOT in good shape. All four muscles of the cuff are torn and full through tears. It is not repairable but my range of motion is still very good and I have what I would consider moderate pain most days. That's why i was seeking input from others. I've talked with several surgeons they cannot do a regular shoulder replacement Good luck to you with your surgery. Thanks for commenting.

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My surgeon says there will be NO PT with this Reverse TSR, just at home exercises. He is a premier shoulder surgeon in this area and I trust him. Has anyone else experienced this? It seems everyone on here who has had this surgery has had physical therapy. Any thoughts or comments? Thanks.

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On 1/25/23, I had a left shoulder arthroplasty (total left shoulder replacement) utilizing the Reverse Implant Components.
Recovery was quick and very little pain. The reattachment of my left bicep was required due the severe arthritis I had eaten away my bicep at the connection point to my shoulder, so they had to remove the diseased tissue before reattachment via a hybrid thread to "sew" it back in place and then secured a plate over the new connection. With the bicep muscle now being shorter, I was having a great deal of pain as the physical therapists worked diligently in treating my recovery of my bicep surgery. It has been almost 5 months since my surgery and I'm progressing well with strength training currently. One thing I wished I had known was the weight restrictions I've been given that will be a lifetime guide/restriction as long as I tread this Earthly plain. The 35# deadlift weight restriction and 25# overhead guideline/restriction seem realistic during my Rehabilitation, but I'll likely test those li.its by the end of 2023.

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