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Having left shoulder replaced at end of Sept.

Posted , 5 users are following.

claudia1968
claudia1968

Need to hear what other people think after their shoulder replacement?  In pain all the time, just would like the pain to go away...  Would like my life to be somewhat normal again!

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • oldguy128
    oldguy128 claudia1968

    Posted

    I'm in the same boat kid, now I wish I never let that doctor touch me, just had nerve tests done, now I find out I have nerves pinched in 4 parts around my neck, and shoulder I know I didn't have before, i can't do what I did before, and I even have a YouTube video proving it My mistake was picking the wrong doctor

    • claudia1968
      claudia1968 oldguy128

      Posted

      Thank you for reminding me to do my homework on my Doctor.  Have checked him out and did use him 2 yrs ago.  He cleaned out arthritis and bone spurs.  The old shoulder is worn out!  Just want to hear feed back and your is valued, Many Thanks!
  • muriel34224
    muriel34224 claudia1968

    Posted

    I had a total reverse shoulder replacement of my left shoulder on May 2,2016 with excellent results.  My results were so good that I will be having my right shoulder done in the next month or so just waiting for a little cooler weather, I live in Florida.  The important thing to do is research doctors and find the best you can find.  The reason I chose my doctor was that I knew someone who had family members who had the surgery with excellent results and I followed their recovery and then decided to have mine done.  I had been on pain meds for 6 years that were not helping but once I had the surgery I only used the meds the surgeon prescribed and after about two weeks I no longer needed them. I do have occasional aches but it is not anything to complain about and I am now able to use my left arm easier than it had been for years.  If you have any questions you would like to ask me I will be happy to answer them for you
    • claudia1968
      claudia1968 muriel34224

      Posted

      Just want to feel normal once more!  I do trust my Doctor's just hope this takes care of the pain.  Pain meds make me very ill, so I have been using oils..  They semi work now to ease the pain.  Guess I just want to know 

      what to expect, don't like the unknown?

      So kind of you to reply, Thanks for taking the time to tell me about your replacement!

       

    • muriel34224
      muriel34224 claudia1968

      Posted

      When I ad my shoulder surgery I was in the hospital for 2 days. The first day I slept a lot. The second day I was up and I had physical therapy. The physical therapist walked with me down the hall and when I was brought back to my room I was able to sit in a reclining chair.  I did not have much pain, the pain before the surgery was worse than after it for me.  Before I left the hospital the second day I had physical therapy again and they showed my husband and I how to remove the immobilizer. They took pictures so we would know how it should be put on. Once home I had a nurse and physical therapist come to my house 3x a week for 2 weeks. After that I did the exercises I was shown on my own. 10 days after my surgery the staples were taken out and I was given a 2nd immobilizer. You are not supposed to shower for 10 days and I would suggest you get a small plastic lawn chair to use in the shower because you will only be able to use your good arm to wash yourself. You can use your arm from the elbow down on the side you have the surgery but not move the arm from the elbow up. Also during this time you can only lift 2 pounds on the side of the surgery. After 6 weeks I went back to the doctor again and this time he prescribed occupational therapy for 6 weeks, 3 x a week. Also at this time he removed the immobilizer and I no longer had to wear it. You are now able to lift 5 pounds with the surgery side. After the 6 weeks of physical therapy I once again went back to the doctor and was released from physical therapy. The physical therapist and the doctor were both impressed with my progress.  I hope this information is helpful to you.
    • claudia1968
      claudia1968 muriel34224

      Posted

      You make me feel much better about this!  I just needed to know the steps and of course pain level.  I have been dealing with the pain and just needed to know light, is at the end of the tunnel?

      Thank you for all of the Great advice!

    • muriel34224
      muriel34224 claudia1968

      Posted

      I am glad this helped you, I also wanted to tell you that before the surgery I got some extra big shirts to wear because I found them to be most comfortable and they were actually easier to put on and take off. Also if you can find some big button down tops with short sleeves they also are comfortable and easier to put on.   You are also able to drive after a few days or within a week. The doctor tod me to place my hand on the 12 o clock withe the good arm and the 6 o clock position with the surgery side when driving, I was already doing this before surgery and it worked for me.  I will probably be having my right shoulder done around the same time as you are having your surgery.  Good luck with your surgery I am sure you will do well, just follow the instructions your doctor gives you and you should do fine. I did exactly as I was told.  
    • claudia1968
      claudia1968 muriel34224

      Posted

      Thanks for all the info!  I just needed an outline of what to expect.  You have been so very helpful and to take the time to help me!

      Thanks and Thought are with you, too!

    • BagofBones
      BagofBones muriel34224

      Posted

      Hi Muriel34224! I was so glad to read of your surgery success on your shoulder.

      I am looking for a doctor in my area but have gone down to Palm Beac for a hip

      replacement that turned out well. My dr in Palm Beach doesn't

      do shoulder repair, it seems orhopedic surgeons are quite

      specalized these days. I was wondering if you would share

      your orthopedic dr name with me to see if he might be a

      candidate for my right shoulder. I spent an afternoon in the

      pool teaching myself the backstroke! The next day I couldn't

      lift my arm. I can call the dr in PB fora reference but if you

      can give me the dr who you used would be greatly apprecated.

      Sincerely,

      Sherri

    • muriel34224
      muriel34224 BagofBones

      Posted

      I love in southwest Florida so I don't know that my doctor would be an option for you but his name is Dr.Derek Cuff.  He is really good and I did meet a man during my physical therapy who was from Miami but had a house in the area I live in which is Englewood, he previously had 2 other reverse total,shoulder replacements one before having my doctor do the third one in a year.  He told me he fell and that is how he hurt his shoulder.  The first two surgeries were done in Miami and they failed so they researched doctors and found that Dr, Cuff was the best and finally had him do the third and finally successful surgery.  I hope this helps

    • BagofBones
      BagofBones muriel34224

      Posted

      Thank you very much!! I missed the part where you said you lived

      in SWFL. Do you think if I called him, he might know a dr who

      he might recommend? You're very nice to share this info. I have

      had 5 times after dislocations,so hopefully I won't go thru

      that with my arm. Thanks again. 💟

    • muriel34224
      muriel34224 BagofBones

      Posted

      Your very welcome. I don't know if he would recommend someone in your area but I don't think it would hurt to call his office and ask.  Their number is 941-485-1505.  

  • Wingman
    Wingman claudia1968

    Posted

    Hi Claudia, I had a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement back in February of this year. I took care to find the best surgeon available. Unfortunately I ended up with some nerve damage which, I think, was caused by the anesthetist giving me the "nerve block" just before surgery. That delayed my recovery. However, now, 6 months later, I have no pain and I'm almost perfect again. :-)

    The main thing is ... be patient; and do your therapy religiously. Best of luck to you.

     

    • oldguy128
      oldguy128 Wingman

      Posted

      Well it just a year now and I just found I have 3 nerve spots pinched causing me huge issues which my surgeon would not even do a test for, had to have another doctor do it, they hate to look at their bad work
    • claudia1968
      claudia1968 Wingman

      Posted

      This is what I need to hear.  Have not thought about nerve damage?  Will be asking my Doctor about this?  Want to make sure it does not happen a lot and what can they do for it if it does?  Guess it's just dealing with the unknown?  Great to hear you are back to normal!!!

    • oldguy128
      oldguy128 claudia1968

      Posted

      Well after a whole year has gone by my shoulder surgeon dumped me, he won't  write the needed pain scripts for the pain HE CREATED, THAT I DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE The pain doctor ordered nerve tests and I have 4 pinched points one nerve is only working 20% another is 40% the other two 30% I know this was not like this before, so whoever is reading this IF YOUR GOING FOR A SHOULDER REPLACEMENT GET THE DOCTOR TO TEST YOUR NERVES BEFORE HAND, that should  help to make sure he's careful not to mess you up, to late for me, but I hope I can help someone who's just about ready for surgery, just BS the doctor, tell him you feel numb in your hand, then he will have no choice but to test you, say when you hold your hand in a certain way for more than 30 seconds you start to feel numb in your hand and fingers. I know they will test you, and I hope your lucky to have good insurance, but this gives you insurance that if your tests come back negative, they will be to scare to mess them up

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