Nerve damage from reverse shoulder replacement surgery
Posted , 13 users are following.
i am 58 years old and had a reverse shoulder replacement 7 weeks ago. i have swellingin my arm and hand, no use of bicep, no use of tricep, numbnessof forearm, hand and upper arm. i can raise my wrist and curl my wrist after constant pt. my fingers are swollen but they all seem to work. just no feeling in them. saw a neurologist 3 weeks ago. no emg yet but he claims all recover - traction of the brachial plexus nerve - is his diagnosis. Has anyone out there experienced similar complcations?
if i had known i'd lose the use of my right arm i would have learned to live with the constant pain and limited range of motion from my arthritic shoulder. any ideas or experieces welcome.
3 likes, 43 replies
slammer Vstar1100
Posted
Would like to thank all you for your input on reverse shoulder surgery,I was scheduled for surgery in 3 days and called and cancelled it,I have been doing my own therphy to build up strength in my shoulder and have managed to get pretty good use of it,I also have come to realize being retired that I can pace myself and not over use causing pain.No way was I going to let them make me end up with an arm or hand I couldn't use.So as long as I can get by ,no surgery for me,the strongest painkiller I ever use is extra strength tylenol
ps40427 slammer
Posted
That is great! I think this is best. Avoid surgery if possible. Another thing I learned post-facto is that the reverse shoulder replacement has a limited lifetime of about 10 years and then it might need tightening or further surgery.
Barnabas1969 Vstar1100
Posted
i has reverse shoulder replacement surgery a less than three weeks ago on ,y left shoulder after a failed rotator cuff repair. This morning i woke up in extreme pain along with numbness in my left hand which has not gone away after several hours. I am afraid that there may be some nerve damage, At what point should I contact the surgeon or is this normal. IN 2017 I had to have a revised anterior cervical fusion on four levels of my cervical spine followed by a harrowing posterior cervical fusion to brace it, i am at my wits end with the pain and its gotten to the point that i can't even tolerate an ice pack on my shoulder, any advice or encouragement is appreciated,
ps40427 Barnabas1969
Posted
I also had to have cervical fusion C2-T2 about five years before my reverse shoulder replacement. If your cervical spine is stable, it shouldn't be affecting the reverse shoulder repair. You should see someone about your shoulder and possibly your neck.
sheila87649 Barnabas1969
Posted
I am so sorry you are having these complications. Tonight is first time I have found a site where someone else even had this surgery plus I am streaming tears that I'm not the only one that has had this surgery and has complic@tons like I have. I have felt so alone. I had my surgery 6 mos ago. please respond.
sheila87649 Barnabas1969
Posted
I am so sorry you are having these complications. Tonight is first time I have found a site where someone else even had this surgery plus I am streaming tears that I'm not the only one that has had this surgery and has complic@tons like I have. I have felt so alone. I had my surgery 6 mos ago. please respond.
sheila87649 Barnabas1969
Posted
Sadly you are not alone. Plus my surgeon doesn't want to hear it. I went to a neurologist. He's ordered testing. Text me back if you would.
ps40427 sheila87649
Posted
Yeh, that's what my surgeon did - pushed me off and ignored answering questions. I sought help on my own. See a neurologist immediately. Don't be put off by them either, they can do EEGs after 3 months post surgery and tell what's causing the problem. MIRs are no good because the shoulder is all metal. Make sure the neurologist does an EEG of the shoulder - not of the hand. Also try a different shoulder specialist for a second or even third opinion - one who won't side with your surgeon, they often stick together. I think my surgeon kept putting me off because in CA you only have 1 year to file a malpractice suit. But that doesn't fix your problem. Be proactive.
sheila87649 Barnabas1969
Posted
I am so sorry about the surgery and pain you have. I had my reversed shoulder replacement surgery 7 months ago. The pain in the left shoulder and hand is awful. I have both nerve pain and the shoulder is painful to the touch. I have an appointment with a different surgeon in 2 weeks just to see if he suggests anything different. God bless.
ps40427 Vstar1100
Posted
I would see the surgeon immediately. If he/she does not respond adequately, try to see a neurologist. Best wishes.
ps40427 Vstar1100
Posted
From my experience, after my right shoulder reverse shoulder replacement, I woke up with my right hand swollen and numb. They tried to say it was temporary and that I must have had some carpal tunnel and a reaction was triggered, however, I was tested before surgery and there was no carpal tunnel. After months of hand therapy, some swelling went down and some movement returned. However 2.5 years after the surgery, I still have constant numbness and tingling and disability in my right hand, as well as little ability to lift anything with my right. I teach and am right handed and cannot write on the board! You have to be your own advocate. After the surgery, the surgeon kept saying give it time. After 9 months I saw a neurologist and had an eeg. I have severe brachial plexus nerve damage and that is what is causing the arm weakness and hand numbness. I went to UCSF Nerve injury clinic to see if something could be done and after extensive testing the answer was no. The injury was due to a traction injury - which is totally preventable; it was the surgeons carelessness that caused this. I tried to find a lawyer to prosecute but they won't. It is almost impossible to get another doctor to testify against another doctor. So I have to live the rest of my life crippled because of his carelessness. I hope this isn't your case.
Barnabas1969 ps40427
Posted
oh no. this is horrible, i pray that this is not the case for me and pray that you will regain the use of your arm! I have an exam scheduled with my cervical spine doctor next week and hope that he can help or refer to a neurologist.
sheila87649 ps40427
Posted
Bless you heart. I am so sorry you have such complications. my surgery was 6 months ago. I don't know how to find help. The pain is terrible. The nerve pain runs from my shoulder blade down my arm and handand fingers. Numbness but also severe pain. I don't know what to do. My surgeon tells me to give it a couple of years
It also causes my upper arm to feel cold constantly.
ps40427 sheila87649
Posted
Two years! Something serious is wrong. See a neurologist immediately and have an EEG (nerve conduction test). Nerve damage may be permanent but if you just have something pinched, that can be fixed, but do it asap. I have done extensive research on the internet about problems after a reverse shoulder replacement. After 3 months, you should be able to do routine activities, but don't lift anything heavy. After 6 months, most people return to normal but it could take up to 9 -12 months to be "back to normal", but not supposed to lift things over 20 lbs. Best of luck.
sheila87649 Vstar1100
Posted
Hello, I would like to ask how your shoulder and arm are now. I had the reversed shoulder replacement surgery 6 months ago. ..please respond.
ps40427 sheila87649
Posted
2.5 years and no improvement and my muscles are wasting away - exercise won't bring it back as the nerves are damaged. I have serious damage to the brachial plexus from a traction injury - doctors fault. I still try to exercise to try to slow wasting, but it's discouraging because there's never any improvement. I've lost my independence - have to rely on others to lift or move heavy objects.