Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery(1-20-25 update post #18)

[scout II]

Lucky me gets to go in this week for total shoulder replacement surgery on the left side. Have any of you folks done this? What should I expect for pain and discomfort? How long to wear that darn sling? Now, I have had both hips replaced and my left knee replaced, so I know what that pain level is like, and how long it took to get pretty much back to normal. But I have no clue what to expect with this shoulder replacement.

 

[sjmjax]

Sorry. Can’t answer any of your questions.
However, I have also been diagnosed with a “classic worn out” shoulder.
Recommended shoulder replacement surgery as well.
Will be interested in your experiences.

My concern is limitations on the joint mechanics. I have a very active lifestyle for my age. Was advised that I would have to give up weight training and similar dynamic exercises and activities.

Best wishes to you. Hope it goes well for you.

 

[tomhenry]

Impossible to say. There are several types of shoulder replacement systems and will be different recovery times, etc. Also it depends on the surgeon and his theories on rehab and therapy.

Talk to your surgeon for specifics. Recovery could be up to six months. Depending. Could be as soon as 3 months. Good luck.

 

[jaguargolf]

I know 2 guys and one woman who have had it done.

All very happy with results.

Best of luck

Saying a Prayer

 

[cfplinker]

A friend of mine had hers replaced several years ago. She was advised to get several shirts 2 or 3 sizes too big. You will be fitted with a sling that has a backstrap on ir while you are under. For 4 to 6 weeks you will not be allowed to move your arm and wrist away from your tummy. (I hope they are operating on your non-dominate side) During that 4-6 weeks you will have to wear the shirt over sling with your operated arm in it.

Afterwards there may be some limitations on your range of motion and on how much you can lift. Good luck an I hope you heal rapidly.

 

[StrawHat]

I had my dominant shoulder replaced in 2009. Recovery was intense. I needed to get back to work. Therapy was work. I believe it was a year, maybe a bit more, before I was about 95%. I was a carpenter back then. Superintendent but still needed to be able to use tools. My mobility was not restricted, full range of motion. Strength, maybe 85-90% but probably my fault for that. Mine is a standard shoulder.

15 years later, I have torn my rotator cuff numerous times from using tools above my head. Surgeon has suggested another replacement. Apparently the first was only guaranteed for 10 years. I have resisted that for a year. I have an appointment to discuss a new shoulder, the reversed joint model, in February. I too, need to ask about recovery etc. I am not yet ready to retire but can not take a year off. Running your own company can be brutal.

Kevin

 

[Hair Trigger]

Lucky me gets to go in this week for total shoulder replacement surgery on the left side. Have any of you folks done this? What should I expect for pain and discomfort? How long to wear that darn sling?

Are you having a standard or a reversed implant done? The reversed implant has the ball, normally on the humerus, in the scapula and the socket (glenoid) will be on the humerus. I think it helps with preventing dislocations later. It's been 5-1/2 years since I retired and don't really remember the advantages. I've assisted on a few hundred total shoulder replacements as an O.R. Nurse but haven't had it done to me (yet). The shoulder has the widest range of motion of any of your joints and it will be important to follow your Physical Therapy closely to get your range of motion back. Your surgeon should be the one to give you specifics on PT and wearing the sling and use of the arm postop. As for pain, everyone has a different pain threshold and interpretation of pain, but you'll probably have a nerve block to help control the immediate postoperative pain.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've had two rotator cuffs rebuilt. The first one was about 9 months therapy. The second one was after I retired. I cut the therapy short the 2nd time since work is no longer on my to do list. I would guess there would be a difference; all I know is get the pain pills pumping into your system ASAP if it's anywhere near the pain of the rotator cuff. I think I only wore the sling for maybe a week or so. I have an operation coming up this Friday. I'll probably be asking questions about what to expect on a different thread.

 

[pmanton]

How old were you guys? I'll be 87 in a few months and I wonder if I've got enough time left to make it worth doing.

 

[Jack Flash]

My sister just had it late last year. She has several friends who had had it done and told her "Do it! You'll be happy you did!"

She seems to be recovering great. In fact, the PT people have to hold her back from overdoing it.

 

[Jack Flash]

Update on my sister's shoulder replacement surgery:
She says she has pretty much recovered after about 2 months.

She is highly motivated to be able to tend to her grandchildren so she has followed all the advice from the surgeon and physical therapy folks.

I bet you will have great results.

 

[SMSgt]

The few people I know that had shoulder replacement turned out well. They're not 18 again, but better than before.

 

[walter o]

hi 10 years ago had 2 rotator cuff tears and detached bysept re attached
It took almost a full year of PT to get it back to normal lots of home work it is now good as new .Now working on the lwft shoulder ,just e torn rotator cuff hope PT will fix it at my age don't want to work out another year .As far as the pain it is worse than the hip or Knee from my experience

wish you a good recovery

 

[catcher79]

In 2008, I had a partial left shoulder replacement. In 2009, I had left knee replaced and a complete right shoulder replacement. In 2010, I had the left shoulder completely replaced. I had been a heavy lifter for several years. I was in my mid 50's. I followed the Doc's orders to the letter and stayed ahead of the pain medically. Three years later I was benching over 400 lbs again. I was told I would have to have each replacement replaced in 10-12 years. I am now 70 and still lifting with the original replacements, just not as heavy. I should have the left one redone, but the other two are doing just fine. My advice would be to follow the doctor's orders to the letter, don't push it and do the PT.

 

[Kenna]

Ask Dr if an ice machine makes sense for this surgery. I had one for rotator cuff and practically slept with it on. Mini fridge basically that cools water and pumped thru sleeve you wear.

 

[Golddollar]

Ask Dr if an ice machine makes sense for this surgery. I had one for rotator cuff and practically slept with it on. Mini fridge basically that cools water and pumped thru sleeve you wear.

My brother had an ice machine for after his rotator cuff surgery and it cut down his recovery time considerably.

 

[Leonard]

I am getting OLD 78 and told I need a reverse shoulder replacement due to arthritis

 

[scout II]

Well, I went into surgery at 10:00 A.M. Wed morning and was on my way home around 2:30 P.M. the same day. Doc said surgery went very well and everything inside looked great, so they did the standard replacement because my rotator cuff looked good. I felt very good when i got home and slept well the first night. The pain woke me up the next morning about 5:00 A.M. They gave me a nerve block and told me that would be good for pain control for the whole next day and maybe more. So much for that. Now was the time for pain meds every 6 hours to keep it under control. I am doing better with pain now, finally, and only taking 2 a day now and working toward taking less.
This damn sling is a pain to wear 24/7. I have to wear it for 6 weeks, including while I sleep in a chair/recliner. I didn't think it would be so hard to pull up my pants or even blow my nose with one hand. I think the worst part of all though, is the constipation. They gave me pills for it, but it has not worked yet. Luckily, I haven't been eating much, but I would like too.

 

[wundudnee]

That's good news. I have had both shoulders operated on, with a total reverse on the left. You learn how to do really personal things with both hands. I have talked to many people that had good luck with the total reverse. Mine wasn't the greatest. I have good strength below my chest and good movement. overhead not to great. I also have a serious pain sometimes that makes me talk. I did do the rehab and it works most of the time.

This is why I didn't post earlier, you didn't want to hear my story going in.
Good luck getting well.

 

[scout II]

That's good news. I have had both shoulders operated on, with a total reverse on the left. You learn how to do really personal things with both hands. I have talked to many people that had good luck with the total reverse. Mine wasn't the greatest. I have good strength below my chest and good movement. overhead not to great. I also have a serious pain sometimes that makes me talk. I did do the rehab and it works most of the time.

This is why I didn't post earlier, you didn't want to hear my story going in.
Good luck getting well.

I was glad that I received a standard replacement. I hope to get back to close to normal range of motion. Time will tell.