Shoulder replacement

Oooh a new category. Good idea 💡

@kazamcleod my daughter did indeed have her right shoulder replaced at the age of 19 following on from cancer treatment damage. Her shoulder had completely collapsed and hung by her side. She could hardly move it to wash properly so that was down to me. The pain she was in was incredible. You will no doubt understand that.

We began the process by having some pre-op physio. She actually saw a children's physio not sure why but she was very encouraging - the stronger your muscles and tendons are pre-op the better and quicker you will recover.

Unfortunately she was having seizures (also as a result of chemo) so the biggest fear was that she might damage her socket before it was properly healed.That didn't happen - phew! She also had a really supportive arm brace thingy.

She went down in the morning and was given a nerve block in her shoulder as well as the anaesthetic so when she woke up her arm was still 'dead'. No bad thing I think. I think it took 8-12 hours to wear off then she started on regular pain killers and physio recommenced.

Already the grinding bone pain was eased, but obviously the post operation pain was there. I would have to say it took maybe 6 weeks for her to feel more confident using it. A lot of the post op pain seemed to be in her back (under shoulder blade)s and neck area possibly tension? Instinct to protect the injured area? A gentle massage with some MSN gel really helped with that as did a warm microwaved wheat-bag.

She worked hard at her physio and the consultant (who was only after pain relief from his surgery) was so very pleased with her she has FULL range of movement. She can put her arm right over her head and now only gets occasional twinges if she overdoes things. I don't know your age, nor how long you have been struggling, so you might not get quite such a great outcome. The downside for Lucy is she will probably face a few revisions in her lifetime.

Best of luck

Toni x

Like Lindalegs I had a reverse total shoulder replacement. Fortunately the damaged shoulder was on my non-dominant side. I was 73 at the time. Now (6 years later) I have near-normal function in the joint. There is some discomfort at times although nothing comparable to the pre-operative pain and loss of use. I don't need to use pain-killers for it and consider that I live a full and active life for someone in her eightieth year who has widespread OA. (I drive, cycle on an e-bike, play indoor bowls, can peg out washing and find no excuse for doing the usual household chores!)

The reverse version of the operation carries warnings of less good outcomes than with a straightforward replacement because the muscles have to work differently so my experience may not be applicable to you. I have absolutely no regrets and nothing but praise for the procedure, without which I would be in a very sorry situation.

My chief warning is to expect full recovery to be a long process taking up to a year but with continued small gains after that.

If you want to read my 'diary' it is still on this forum and headed 'Total Reverse Shoulder Replacement Feb.1919" if you use the search box above.

Best wishes Crinkly 1

Hello Karen - I'll do my best to address your questions.

Clothing - immediately after surgery I wore cheap, large t-shirts (day and night) with the seam on the operated side cut open from underarm of sleeve to within a short distance from the hem, so there was no need to put my arm into a hole. The opened seams overlapped under my sling so I was well covered. I wore a poncho over the top when going out. No bra until I could manage to wriggle my way into a sports bra, pulling it up from the bottom. Loose fitting underwear was easy to pull up and down with one hand and loose fitting jog bottoms or elastic waisted trousers were the same. Slip-on footwear and a long handled shoe horn. My op was in the winter so you may not need as much warm clothing. This phase lasted for the first 4-6 weeks and I was then back in my normal clothing, starting to drive and feeling sociable again.

Return to activities - It's difficult to know how to answer this as your 'activities' will undoubtedly be different from mine and your speed of recovery will also be different. Also it's now hard to recall exact details so I will bump up my original post onto this thread so you can read it. Importantly sleeping in bed was extremely difficult and I spent the first four weeks mainly sleeping in a recliner chair. (The first week was a totally lazy one as the effects of the operation wore off!!)

There's a great account on the VA website (and on an independent website) of a member's experience of having both shoulders replaced which includes a really detailed list of tips and hints for coping with the recovery time. I borrowed some of her suggestions with considerable success so I'll add a reference to that when I bump up my saga as I need to be sure I have her name correct.

Above all try not to worry as you will find creative ways to cope if you follow your own sense of what your body is ready to do. If you can have someone just calling in on you daily during the first week it can save a lot of frustration and loneliness. Remember that people like being asked to help with essential needs. Other things can wait!