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Hi im Saieda i have severe osteo Ahiritis on my shoulder i have to have a replacement im apprehensive and i cant handle the pain no meds are helping - pls if anyone had a shoulder replacement pls Advice thank you
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wknight saieda8052
Posted
holly83 wknight
Posted
What kind of joint replacement are you having and why is this the 3rd?
Holly
wknight holly83
Posted
holly83 saieda8052
Posted
Hello saieda,
I also have the same exact condition in my right shoulder and the only treatment advised for me is TSR - total shoulder replacement. I am extremely hesitant to undergo this radical and highly technical surgery because my arthritic condition was caused from a failed arthroscopic surgery 4 years ago.
I don't know where you live or if you are researching surgeons, but from what I have discovered in the last year there are 2 techniques for TSR which may have a significant effect on how well you recover and the time for rehab. One surgical method which was developed in France and has been practiced for almost 15 years in the US. The method does not cut into and spares the rotator cuff, providing it's not already torn. The other more traditional method is the usual anterior open surgery where the rotator cuff is cut (one of 4 muscles) and pulled back to insert the prosthetic.
The "cuff sparing" method provides patients with a shorter rehab time and less pain. Recovery for the traditional method is almost a year with a painful therapy rehab. The "cuff sparing" typically provides patients with a recovery of an average of 8 weeks and much less pain for therapy. I know which one I would choose, but there is only 1 surgeon in Texas that I can find that will do this. I have found there are many in NY city, southern CA, and also north KY. Also, if you are interviewing surgeons, I would be sure that he/she specializes in only shoulders and they should be doing several surgeries per week, i.e.they should have plenty of experience in TSR and not other areas like knees or hips. Shoulder joints are much more complicated than knees or hips and very few ortho surgeons choose to specialize in this area, but that's the kind of surgeon you and I need if we choose to go through with it.
I personally know 2 patients who have had good success with TSR's and have had complete range of motion restored with no more pain, so that's something to consider. I would also like to stop the pain meds I'm taking as I have to structure my life on whether I have enough to travel, although if I didn't have them I would have absolutely no quality of life since the pain is excruciating
On another note, I spoke with a physical therapist last week who has worked on many shoulder injuries and TSR patients and has agreed to give me an eval for therapy only, if I choose not to go with the surgery.
Feel free to correspond anytime with me - there are very few people at least in the US (approx 60,000/year) who undergo TSR's. So, it's good to exchange ideas with other patients who are considering the surgery.
Keep in touch and good luck with your decision,
Holly
saieda8052 holly83
Posted
Thank you very much for considered response.
I am from Johannesburg, South Africa and consulting with a orthopedic surgeon that specialises in shoulders.
I am defintely going to discuss your notes with him.
I will post his response and the final decision.
Saieda