When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I had my shoulder replaced on February 4, 2020. But it is anatomically correct, not reverse. That shoulder is as strong and maybe stronger than my God given shoulder. I can carry a 5 gallon bucket of water and have full range of motion . From what I've learned is that they use reversed replacements if your rotator cuff is bad.
That's where I am, Abe...did the rotator cuff 10 years ago and it's torn again... to many hard lifts. I've got pretty good pain lifting arm above my shoulder and no strength above that point either. Even pushing side to side in lowered position is stabbing now.
Bone cracker gave me a steroid shot in the joint today but so far hasn't helped much.
In the reversed position the deltoid muscle does the work of the cuff...only limit is putting your arm behind your back... so I'll have to snap my bra in front and spin it around I've already been putting my belt thru
the loops before I put my pants on...lots easier and less painful
I probably won't do it till winter when things quiet down with chores...I'm trying to list all the things I need to get done before then... it's my dominant shoulder also so that sucks too
recovery time (they say) is quicker than r.c. but still 6 to 12 weeks... that will be easier in Jan-Mar than right now...
I went yesterday to get a new bottle of 75/25 gas for my welder 300 cu ft. about 160#s. I could drag it out of the Suburban but they don't load in enclosed vehicle. I just didn't have enough
but in my britches to lift the bottom and slide it back in... after about 15 minutes of grunting two young men drove up and helped an old man.. embarrassing, but a God send.
I had reverse shoulder replaced last Nov 28th. I had it done on my right side and they told me I wouldn't be able to carry my wallet in my right rear pocket anymore. Well I can reach behind and reach my left rear pocket. They didn't tell me the arm would never reach straight up anymore. This is the only gripe I have about this style of replacement. I had a cortisone shot before my surgery and they hit the bundle of nerves and I lost partial use of my right arm that still hasn't come back.
Looks like all the old codgers are coming out of the woodwork. I will add my 2 cents. My surgeon, who is the chief shoulder surgeon at University of Michigan Hospitals. He asked me which surgery I wanted, and I told him to make the decision after he opened up the shoulder cavity, since he was in the best position to make that judgment.
He guaranteed me that with a full replacement I would never have shoulder pain again. I laughed and told him that was a dumb thing to say to a 50 year trial lawyer. He said again you will never have pain again. He is 100% correct. Never a pain since!
occasionally a little tightness if I move it where it isn’t supposed to go, but I pay no attention to it, and move another way.
I had to wear an immobilizing sling for a few weeks and go to therapy, but nothing horrible in the great scheme of things.
Mark, with the rotator cuff replacement you wear a sling with pad that's half as big as a half a couch cushion ALL THE TIME in the beginning. And it's almost impossible to sleep other than on your
back... which I can't do. Tried sleeping in a recliner and that sucked too...It was a tough few weeks till I got past that.
Is the sling with the replacement that same thing ? or something you can deal with ? AFA therapy?? is is similar to RC therapy... passive arm swings then the arm bicycle machine and weight lifting pully thingy ?
Hi John:
The sling I wore was an immobilizer which held your forearm tight to the chest. Very thin nylon with foam padded straps. I needed help putting it on, but only had to wear it two weeks, except for the shower.
I could sleep on my back or on the non-operative side, but had to barricade my good shoulder with pillows so I didn't roll over on it in my sleep.
No strenuous physical therapy, just mild exercise with some cold and then heat packs. Most of the therapy was mildly stretching the arm to get range o motion.
Attaching some pictures of the sling, not bulky at all.
Regrds, Mark
My brother and law had the reverse since he had done the rotor. He is now on disability since he can't drive semi anymore, he is only 45. I've had both rotors done and waited too long on first and lost my bicep. So reverse would be my only choice but I won't do it till I can't take the pain.
This is me in late February 2020. I had a foam pad on the sling between my abdomen and my forearm. I saw the Dr. after 2 weeks and he took out that pad. But I had to wear the sling for another month.
At rehab the therapist would stretch my shoulder and arm. He said not because of the surgery but because I hadn't moved my arm that far for years because of the bad joint and pain.
Yea Mark...my same ortho doc had me wait a year to get my hip replaced... finally I told him I had to have it done or have a bullet to bite on... there was no relief at that point...so he did it.
\
I'm not quite to that point with the shoulder yet... but he recommended doing it soon...
Abe, sounds better on the sleeping part although I sleep on that side best... need to start sleeping on the right side for practice I guess. That sling looks tolerable. Think I was in the RC sling about 3 months and then after that I only had to wear it for driving in case of an accident and I might throw that arm up.
I see you are using that 'pain medication' with the lime additive...good choice
what about driving...what were the limits
I took that picture in February as a joke about building up my immunity to the "Corona Virus" before I knew how serious it would become.
That was my first time out, other than church and rehab.
Pain? I took the oxycodone when I got home and one dose the next day. Then I took extra strength Tylenol.
Sleeping? Slept in bed, not recliner. My wife made a nest with pillows on my left side so I wouldn't roll over on it. I'm a left side sleeper too.
Driving? After I got the pad out of the sling I could drive my automatic CRV. I drove to rehab. I couldn't drive my trucks. Kinda hard to steer and shift one handed. I did have a buddy drive my 54 to take me on a drive, just to get me and it out.
The worst part about driving was going through the drive-thru. It was my left shoulder that was immobilized. Try paying at the window with the right hand!
Also no narcotics involved, they used a disposable pain pump for 3 days, and then you remove it and throw it away.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
I've already been putting my belt thru
