It Does get Better

Did you have a total reverse shoulder replacement? Because that is what I had 2 years ago and I still don't have full range of motion

Hello:

I've had 2 shoulder surgeries: the left 2 years ago involving massive tear of supra, infra and labrum, right 1 year ago involving labrum, bicep and supra.

After 2 years, the left is at 95% full ROM. The right is almost there after 1 year (still a couple more weeks to go till the 1 year mark so I'm hoping it will reach that. It's too your credit that you've been persistent and courageous enough to achieve the ROM you have. My therapist said that after 9 months most people just give up and I can't say I blame them. It's work and painful and takes patience.

After my first surgery when I went to my primary around the 4th week still in a sling, one of the nurses who had also had rotator cuff surgery in the past said: "Why are you still in the sling!?" She cautioned me that would cause a very stiff if not frozen shoulder. She said her insurance covered her having an at-home exercise device called a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine that automatically (via an electric motor) moved her arm and this was used almost immediately during the first few weeks post surgery, several times a day for up to 10-20 minutes. She of course had great insurance, most people will not get this machine. In fact most people won't even get one of those at home care kits which may include ice machine, pulleys, resistance bands, etc.

The CPM is said to reduce swelling, prevent build up of too much scar tissue that will cause stiffness, alleviate pain, etc. Anyone interested, google it as there is plenty of info on it including vids on Youtube.

In any case, my left shoulder after 4 weeks was very stiff my ortho started me on therapy immediately. It was rough going for the first few months. I think the right shoulder is progressing at a faster rate because I learned from my experience with the left shoulder. Towards the 9-10th month of rehab on my shoulders I put weights anything from 5-10 pounds on my arms in a flat lying position with the arms straight and raised behind me and also bent clasped behind my head. This is painful but it really breaks up the scar tissue and improves ROM slowly. The pain decreases and it is very encouraging to see the small incremental improvements. BTW...I learned to put the weights on my arms from my therapists.

You really have to be persistent and realize that the improvements come about slowly. It can be very frustrating if you don't have a therapist who tells you this constantly, and I mean constantly. Patients need to be reassured as it is as much a mental (and emotional thing) as a physical one.

Most people don't want surgery, they are afraid of the pain, the unknown, that it will keep them out of work or daily activities for extended periods of time. I had no choice with the left shoulder as I could not move it. The right, I did have a choice, but realized from research, that it would only get worse and eventually be disabling. I had faith in my surgeon and went ahead and had it done.

You also have to realize every patient and surgery is different. My injuries took a long time to heal. If your injury is not as big it may take a matter of months to get back to normal. You should ALWAYS be direct and honest with both your therapist and ortho. Ask questions, express concerns.

And, as much as I love my therapists, I'd have to say the final say lies with your surgeon. The surgeon is the one that went inside you with his probes, cameras, sutures, etc. He knows what the physical condition of your tissue is. If he says certain movements should be restricted you should follow his advice or you might undo what he has fixed.

Love to hear from all of you in more detail about what you've experienced...I think it helps you and others when you share.