Total left reverse shoulder replacement - please help!!
Posted , 37 users are following.
Hi there, I'm very new to this so please bare with me. My name is laura, I have just turned 32 yearsOld and just had operation number 17 on my left shoulder, the latest in the long line was a total reverse replacement on 25/05/13, I know some of you will be thinking its too soon to tell if it has worked or not but here are my concerns - ever since the surgery I have been in an awful lot of pain, to the point that walking is painful as my operated shoulder feels very loose and that its moving about, also my shoulder looks like it has dropped more every day, I am wearing the sling as I have been advised but its still feels very painful and loose. I have been put on very strong pain killers (dihydrocodine, oxynorm(immediate release), OxyContin(Slow release), paracetamol and ibuprofen, and after taking them I'm still in pain, and its obviously stopping me from sleeping,
My surgeon has told me that there is only about 5 people of my age that he knows of that has this op as they don't like doing it on "young people".
Has anyone had this operation, and is how and what I am feeling normal?
I look forward to any advice or comments,
Thank you in advance.
Laura
P.s I know this is going to sound a little strange, before leaving the hospital, I took a picture of the X-ray of my shoulder post op so I could show my son. I have been told (as previously said) that I had a Total reverse replacement, after looking for forums about shoulders I come across photos, and my replacement does not look like the photos I have seen online. If anyone knows anything about this and would be willing to take a look that would be amazing - just want to check I'm not going mad
0 likes, 97 replies
michael_54617 Lulublu31
Posted
I am 32 years old. I just had my 13th surgery. The last one being a total reverse replacement about two weeks ago. The pain is very bad still, just curious when did you guys start feeling better. Where you can sleep through the night. The pain pills aren't really much relief.
Misty57 michael_54617
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michael_54617 Misty57
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Thank you, I know he said I was the youngest he had ever done this to. He said my only other option was to fuse it. Just scared the pain won't get much better, it really bad right now. I start physical therapy Thursday. I am glad to hear your pain is under control. Thank you for commenting back to me.
Misty57 michael_54617
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I had the same discussion - fusion was an option. Really there are no good options with us. The next step- it is unthinkable as the complications are a huge problem. But, what is done is done. I don't know where you live, but the pain pump gave me my life back. The shoulder is still a fragile mess, and I was assured of more surgery in the near future. But thank God I had a wonderful pain management doctor who offered the pump. It has made a world of difference. Anyway, give it more time and hopefully the pain will lessen. I am not sure how long it takes as I never got there, but it is different depending on the issues, how damaged the shoulder was, number of surgeries before the reverse, etc.
michael_54617 Misty57
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Lulublu31 michael_54617
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Hi Michael. I'm sorry to hear your in so much pain. I had my first replacement at 30 and I am now on number 3. I have had a total of 21 operations on my left shoulder since 2008 and to be honest I wish I had never had the first one because the pain is worse than it has ever been and I have virtually no movement in that shoulder anymore :-(. And sleep is still virtually non existent. I really hope that it settles down soon for you! Do you mind me asking where in the world you are? X
michael_54617 Lulublu31
Posted
Cincinnati Ohio is where I live. That is crazy I thought having 13 was bad. I truly feel for you that's terrible. I wish I never had my first one either. I played college football and semi pro football and kept having surgerys to go back and they left me a mess. I have had several since I stopped playing and each time the pain gets worse. Reading on here about the replacement has not been encouraging.
Lulublu31 michael_54617
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I am in the U.K. Still struggling to find anyone near my age that has had a TRSR in the U.K. Most of what I have read about them isn't very positive, although there are a rare few. If you are on facebook there is a group that is for people that have had, or considering shoulder replacements and some very knowledgable people in the group, it's a great support to know there are other people out there that know what your going through and from all over the world. There are some success stories in there too :-) x
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thechefshat Lulublu31
Posted
Where in the UK are you? There are some surgeons now trialling something called a superior capsule reconstruction which is favoured over a reverse replacement in younger patients. It depends on the condition of your GH joint i.e. how much arthritis you have but I'd look into it if I were you.
thechefshat
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Misty57 michael_54617
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Misty57 thechefshat
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crystal1974 Lulublu31
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Hi Im Crystal 42 from The US my Dr. is from Kiaser he says my left shoulder is bone on bone with arthis and my rotator cuff is torn. But he says he doesn't know what they can do for my I need a shoulder replacement but Im too young. any advice ?
michael_54617 crystal1974
Posted
Hello I am only 32 I had a complete reverse replacement done a month ago. I had complete tear of my front rotator cuff and the humeral head was shot as well. I had 13 surgerys all together. It's a last resort kind of choice but you definitely are young but they do them is rare cases on younger people.
Misty57 michael_54617
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USC73 Misty57
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USC73 crystal1974
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REHAB IS SLOW and will take 12 months, but keep at it!