Total left reverse shoulder replacement - please help!!

After 13 surgeries, pain relief may be elusive even with a reverse. You are very young to have had this done. It is a salvage procedure and outcomes for younger people are different.  I had a reverse after 6 suregeries and ended up with a intrathecal pain pump. So, finally the pain is under control, but more surgeries are on the horizon.  I sincerely hope it settles down for you - give it time.

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.

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.

Thank you very much for your advice. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I will give it time and do my therapy before I try anything else, but I will keep in mind asking my pain management doctor about the pain pump.

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

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.

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

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

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.

Sorry, I notice you have 3 replacements already. The superior capsule reconstruction is a treatment for a defective supraspinatus - i.e. a massive tear of that part of the rotator cuff.

I am in Cleveland. I had to go to Boston for the last 2 surgeries. Flying there today for a follow up.

That is true. Too late for some of us.

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.

People can have A reverse and be satisfied in the short term.  Surgeons are very aware that there are still many issues that need to be worked out.  They are not suited for heavy work or long term.  I was 57, and was guaranteed more surgery in the future.  With each surgery, more bone is lost, and soft tissue damaged.  If that is what you are willing to accept, that is a choice.

Rehab will take 12 months...but it is WELL worth it (on month 9).

I was 43 when I had mine done....Attached is my before and after.

REHAB IS SLOW and will take 12 months, but keep at it!