Has anyone had shoulder replacement surgery?

7 years ago

DH is having shoulder replacement surgery on March 11. It’s his dominant right shoulder and he has arthritis pretty bad and the surgeon says this is the best option. We trust his judgment. DH had total hip replacement, right hip, in November and is fully recovered. Same thing, loads of arthritis.

Have any of you, your family or friends had this surgery? We only know of one person, a good friend and former neighbor, who had is this past November. She was doing great in December when we saw her but they are on an extended vacation in Hawaii and California so I haven’t really been able to chat with her. And she isn’t as active as DH.

We we know all the things he can’t do for several weeks and he will religiously follow his PT. I followed rhizo’s recent thread and we also plan to get one of the ice therapy machines to use at home. Those things are great. Anything else?

Featured Answer

sheilajoyce_gw

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

My sister had both of her shoulders replaced at separate times. I will ask her when I see her at lunch today. Actually, my younger sister has had both hips, both knees, and both shoulders replaced. She went to a doctor for her shoulders who has a high success rate with the surgery and outcomes with patients being able to raise their arms above their heads after surgery. He did not recommend physical therapy for his patients, explaining that people tended to over do it and that the shoulder needed to rest to mend. The only thing he had her do was VERY light movement to make sure the shoulder did not seize up. She was to open her hand, palm up, forearm extended in front of her bent at the elbow, and then close the hand into a fist a few times a day, and then do the same thing palm down. She also was to bend her elbow and pull her forearm as close to her shoulder that was entirely comfortable, hold it briefly, and repeat a few times. She had an excellent outcome.

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Comments (9)

georgysmom2
7 years ago
WOW! S.J. Both shoulders replaced!! I've never even heard of shoulder replacement. Good luck to your DH outside......hope all goes well and that it is successful.
OutsidePlaying thanked georgysmom2
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I spent six weeks with my sister ( age 71) who had rotator cuff surgery at Duke. She had a donor graft so that her own tendon didn’t have to be stretched as much. That helped with pain and her recovery. The ice machine helped a lot, and she had a TENS unit that she used faithfully. She also slept in a lift recliner and had physical therapy twice a week. The one thing that helped a lot was a shirt she got on Amazon that had Velcro closure at the shoulder and down the sides. Otherwise she would have had to struggle getting in and out of clothes and the ice machine. I saw them on Etsy with snaps, but hers were Velcro. You might want to google “surgery shirt” or lrotator cuff shirt” or something similar. You really need someone to help you take the ice machine on and off, load and empty the ice machine, place the TENS unit patches, and drive you back and forth to therapy. The whole thing was a hassle, but thankfully, not too painful ( didn’t need the prescription meds after a day, only Tylenol). Surgery was successful, and after five months my sister has full use of her arm and shoulder. Good luck!
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years ago
I have a friend who has had her left should replaced twice. Sometimes she carries the first prosthesis in her purse, or at least she was carrying it the day she showed it to me.

A few years ago I went with her to a couple of her check-ups at the Cleveland Clinic, but since then we've lost touch. I remember she belonged to a members-only shoulder replacement forum, where she shares info with shoulder replacement newbies.

If you want to PM your email address I will pass it along to her, or I'll ask if she minds if I send her email address to you.
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OutsidePlaying
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you mama goose! Sent you a message.
glenda_al
7 years ago
Doctor says I need shoulder replacement.

But I'm trying to live with it.

Therapy and home exercises!

Good luck to your husband.
OutsidePlaying thanked glenda_al
aok27502
7 years ago
Following, because a friend just learned last week that she needs it. She's had a knee and a hip, but she's really not happy with this. It's her dominant arm, and she has bone on bone.
OutsidePlaying thanked aok27502
joyfulguy
7 years ago
I'm sure that this situation is very different from the issue that your husband is dealing with.

I had trouble reaching up the top shelf of the cupboard several years ago and my doc recommended that I start taking Glucosamine Sulphate, which I've been doing for several years and have been able to reach up without trouble through almost all of that time.

I don't remember how long it took before I was able to do that.

ole joyful
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Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
joyfulguy, was the advice you received from an orthopedist or from a GP?

Many can get arthritis relief from glucosamine but if an orthopedist recommends joint replacement after assessing the patient's condition, then taking glucosamine isn't really a like for like alternative.
OutsidePlaying thanked Elmer J Fudd
OutsidePlaying
Original Author
7 years ago
Mama goose, thank you for putting me in touch with your friend. We talked this afternoon.

I will say for those who are facing this surgery, she turned me in to one online resource that was the best I have read. It is the Boston Shoulder Institute.

Has anyone had shoulder replacement surgery?

sheilajoyce_gw

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Has anyone had shoulder replacement surgery?

sheilajoyce_gw

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georgysmom2

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