Shoulder replacement

Kath52

Hi everyone this is my first post 🩷. I’ve had X-ray and CT scan on my right shoulder, severe OA. The consultant says the best way forward is to have an arthroplasty. My concern is that I am 72, a widow , living alone. I’m unsure how I will manage post surgery and what support, if any, I am entitled to? I asked the surgeon how incapacitated I would be following surgery and he said he would expect me to be more comfortable after 2 weeks!!?? Any advice, info or suggestions please ? 😊😊

Anna

Hi @Kath52 and welcome to the online community, and congratulations on your first post!

There have been several members on the forum who’ve had shoulder replacements and have shared their experiences- here’s one of the recent threads that you might find useful to read :

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/56242/shoulder-replacement

You might also like to read the Versus Arthritis information page on shoulder replacements- it’s got some useful tips for managing after the operation:

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/shoulder-and-elbow-replacement/#:~:text=Total%20arthroplasty%20is%20where%20both,the%20tendons%20around%20the%20joint.

Do let us know how you get on,

Anna ( Moderator)

dds35day

I am new here and recently found out I need a shoulder replacement. I'm not ready yet. I am really struggling with being depressed because I can't do many of the things I want to do. I can't do anything that uses my arm. That includes many of not most of the things I want to do. Also the pain makes me very cranky. How do you adjust?

frogmorton

Hi @Kath52

ok.

My daughter had her shoulder replaced after treatment for cancer damaged it so severely that it collapsed. She was 19.

Of course she was lucky enough (maybe😉) to have me to do the cooking etc, but honestly she did really well. For her sadly there will be the need for revisions in future as she was so very young.

@lindalegs also had hers done so although it's not a super frequent opp like hips and knees there are plenty of us about to support you.

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/53015/total-reverse-shoulder-replacement-from-a-rheumatoid-s-viewpoint

You will still have one arm and can do most things with that. Popping a ready meal into the microwave can be done with one arm. You could even batch cook and freeze now if you are able?

Remember you are in a huge amount of pain now struggling now anyway. After the op it may seem worse for a time, but this time you will be moving forwards with it towards less pain and hopefully greater mobility.

My daughter did some pre-op physio to strengthen what she could maybe you can do that too. Physio post op was tough for a week or so, but things quickly improved for my daughter. She is young and has almost full range of movement which is incredible.

Take care

Toni x

Ps @dds35day it sounds as though you are in a huge amount of pain but only you can decide whether you want to go ahead with surgery.

dds35day