Total Reverse Shoulder Replacement from a Rheumatoid’s Viewpoint

I have been off my Benepali for nearly 5 weeks now but as this week progressed my arthritis is starting to flare with each day being worse than the one before. I have been doing my best to manage the pain but, today, I decided enough was enough and I have started the injections again. Mr Legs and I are shielding because where we live is now in Tier 3 of lockdown. We haven’t been out anywhere apart from medical visits so our risk of getting the virus is perhaps less than for some. I just know that with healing and a rheumatoid flare, if I am unlucky enough to contract the virus on top of that my body just will not be able to cope. So it’s lesser of these evils and now that I have injected I know that very soon I will be much more comfortable.

The photo below is 17 days after surgery. I wasn’t worried about having a scar, at my age nobody is interested in looking (apart from Mr Legs when he puts his glasses on). As you can see I’m getting the shoulder definition back as the swelling goes down. My new shoulder has been lifted and is now higher than my other. (I suppose with the erosion of the bone the shoulder drops.) Before Covid there was going to be a 6 month gap then my left shoulder was to be replaced too. I imagine with the backlog of electives it might be a long time before it is tackled.

I would like to finish by saying that I view my new shoulder as a gift. I’m one of the lucky ones. I put my trust into the skill of, not just my surgeon, but in the whole team of medical staff who took part in my care. They all deserve thanks and praise but it goes even further back into research and education that has brought us all this far. We, the recipients of new prosthesis, have so much to be grateful for.

I know that the care of my new shoulder is up to me. Only I can get the best from it now by making sure I do the exercises to the upmost of my ability. It’s not easy and it hurts but I know I’ll get there through determination and self belief.

If you read this prior to surgery I hope all goes well for you. If you’re afraid beforehand, that’s okay, because everyone feels the same way. You do have pain afterwards but it’s a getting-better-pain and not the destructive pain of before.

My advice:

     1     Take the painkillers to make sure you’re comfortable. No one wins a medal for suffering unnecessarily.

     2     Listen to your body. When it’s tired have a rest and even a nap, if you can.

     3     Wear your sling in bed, it’s only for 6 weeks.

     4     Do your exercises as often as you’ve been told and more if you feel able.

     5     Give yourself an easy goal-a-day.

     6     Don’t expect too much too soon. (Like I did!)

     7     Don’t compare your progress to others, this is your journey and no one else.

     8     It’s up to you to get the best from this joint, you owe it to the medical team who cared for you.

     9     Mostly, be kind to yourself, your body deserves some TLC whilst it’s mending.

   10  All my best wishes and good luck!

@frogmorton

Thanks Toni,

I will be back when I'm able to type with two hands. My one finger doing the typing needs a rest!

@Sharon_K

Hi Sharon, Thank you for your kind comments. I enjoyed writing this thread especially as it gave me a good, positive focus for each new post. Thank you for the beautiful flowers too 😊

Hello again,

I've decided to add to my thread as I go along with any milestones which might be of interest.

I usually paint my Christmas card but my muscles aren't yet strong enough to allow my hand to hover above a tabletop. I'm working on that now and I can do it in short bursts so I know it's only a matter of time and patience plus I'm determined to get there!

However, I have discovered I can write and draw again because your hand can slide along supported by the desktop and doesn’t need to hover as with painting!

My two biggest achievements to date, post TRSR, are that I've handwritten a letter to my mother-in-law (who I love dearly) and .....drum roll please ......I have drawn my Christmas card! It took me four days and I'm very pleased with the result! I've just scanned it ready for printing! I will post a photo of it on my thread later when I've distributed it to family and friends but till then it's under wraps. 😉

@Ellen, @Brynmor and @frogmorton

Thank you all for your comments. I have received some lovely, encouraging feedback.

I haven't been told to do the rolling ball exercise but was wondering if my dishcloth wiping the worktops counts as it's the same action!  

Have a great Christmas everyone! And I will return when my exercises have strengthened my arm enough to type two handed on a normal keyboard. xx