topic Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement in Wellness

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

kutira — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:37:13 GMT

I just got home yesterday from an overnight hospital stay to fix avascular necrosis--in other words, my left humurus bone was dying from lack of blood flow & had to be fixed. So now months of recuperation. Two arm/shoulder surgeries since Jan. Anybody familiar with recovery, etc? Can't type too much with one hand. Thank goodness it was my left arm. TIA.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Mindy D — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:52:44 GMT

@kutira @I wish you well and I hope you have a relatively short recovery.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

granddi — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:59:08 GMT

My sister had this surgery about 2 years ago.

The PT was intense, uncomfortable and necessary.

She said she is now pain free.

She was not completely informed and thus surprised as to the restriction of movement following the surgery and recovery. She cannot reach back to hook a bra or reach extremely overhead. Good thing she does not want to serve a tennis ball, that kind of movement is out too. She tries to do some weights as overall fittness but avoids overhead lifts.

As you said the surgery was necessary.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:00:21 GMT

Wishing you a full recovery, your physician will determine the time when you should start post op rehab to help with pain relief, increase your range of motion and strength. Take care !

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

kutira — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 01:09:36 GMT

Thanks ladies!

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Loves Purple — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 03:41:44 GMT

I had a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement surgery last June 2020. I tripped in my yard smashing into the fence and shattered my shoulder. PT was scheduled within a week of surgery and yes there were a few very uncomfortable exercises but only for a short period of time. There were plenty of exercises to do. I'll never completely lift my straight above my head and as you said I can't put my arm behind my back. One of the best exercises, in my opinion, involved using pulleys to raise the affected arm above my head. It was recommended at the PT facility that I purchase a set for home and I really came a long way be able to raise my above my head. PT was about 3 months twice a week. Remember that you must do the exercises even after PT is over, but not all of them every day. I would slack off a couple of weeks and could feel my arm getting a little weaker and I would start back but it's fine.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

HisElk1 — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 17:28:16 GMT

@kutira, I had one done in Nov. 2017. While walking, my right foot/ankle flipped over and down I went. I heard 3 cracks in my shoulder and almost passed out with pain. My arm literally just hung and couldn't move.

Warning: this may be a long read. I ended up with a reverse also. My surgeon was excellent, though the PT I received was terrible. Twice a week for only 30 minutes and 10 of those minutes were questions, so I got nowhere.

I ended up finding a place where the PT met with me and told me that because of people like me, she left the place where I had been going. She spent at least an hour to hour and a half doing myofascial release. Is it painful - yes, BUT it really helped loosen things up. I was doing better and took a break and wanted to return again, but she was very ill and didn't know if she was returning.

Just recently, I had some knee issues; saw the same surgeon who recommended more PT. The guy I am working with saw on my chart that I had a shoulder replacement and inquired. I told him where I went before and I still didn't have much use in reaching behind my back. He told me if I could get another script from the surgeon, he would work with me. I am now getting and hour and a half twice a week and am able to reach behind my back, though, it's still difficult. One of the things he has me doing is holding a small round ball in my right hand (shoulder replacement side) and transferring it to my left hand behind my back. The "other place" didn't do much of any exercises other than the pulley thing and walking your fingers up the wall.

When I put on a bra, I now have to put it on backwards to hook them in the front and then slide it around to the back.

I was told that this is the worst area one can break because of how many things the shoulder/arm/wrist has to do with rotation.

Stay on top of doing those exercises and making sure you use your elbow/wrist as they are also effected.

I hope you don't think I am trying to alarm you; just trying to give advice from 4 years ago. I realize my shoulder/arm won't be 100%, but I am making headway from what I was given PT before. If only I would've gone to these 2 people 4 years ago. If you don't think you're getting what you need from PT, speak up about it.

I wish you the best in your upcoming healing.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

kutira — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 20:29:36 GMT

@HisElk1 and @Loves Purple Thanks so much. I fell on the ice in Jan & had fractured proximal humerus surgery; wasn't healing well. Same type of your first PT. Got referred to a much smaller place that does private sessions in a room. She is so much better. When I followed up with surgeon he took x-rays; the pins were coming through my bone; necrotic (dying) bone from no blood flow--why I had to have this surgery. My doc seems to like prescribing oxy which I won't take. Thanks for all the advice.

Re: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Loves Purple — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 02:09:15 GMT

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble. I think now that your blood flow is restored and you do the exercises they give you, you should see progress each week. I was prescribed hydro/acetaminophen and I didn't need it often but it helped the few times I did. Keep us posted on your progress.
To top off this year, I was in an auto accident June 1st, broke the same arm and had to have surgery. After 8 weeks in a cast I'm back in PT healing and doing great. Thank goodness my shoulder is fine but what a scare. Two years in a row. I'm not leaving my house next June! LOL