Reverse Shoulder Replacement 3rd time lucky

[Hopeful Manch]

This is Hopeful Manch I’ve made it to the other side after a disappointing last try, it was the 19th of July in the UK the hottest day for over 40 years it was 40 degrees C the date of my op I was 2nd in I went into a side ward because it was too hot in the main ward I was put on a drip to keep me hydrated a canula put in to prep me for the op THEN it happened the surgical team came in and said it was to HOT IN THE THEATRE no operation today SO 3 weeks later another scorching day only 30 degrees Cnut I was first in and the op went ahead that was Tuesday the 9th it’s now Thursday and I’m home . Let me tell you what it was like having my Reverse Shoulder op I went into surgery at 9 am and I got back to the ward at 4 pm it was ok because I’d had a shoulder nerve block . I was laying in my bed disoriented for a few hours trying to sleep you’d have thought that was possible but being hooked up to a drip I couldn’t sleep until hours later and only for a couple of hours now let me tell you about the nerve block your arm feels like a LEAD weight it’s so heavy you carn’t lift it , abosolutly no sensation at all until for me 3-30 am I felt a tingling in my fingers and slight pain that tingling tool 2 and a half hours to get to my shoulder during that time I’d got some pain relief but when the pain got to my shoulder WOW WOW press that buzzer and ask for the oxy even that doesn’t do the trick I’m on a drip I’ve got another drip draining blood from my shoulder I was dehydrated and told to drink water all day dehydrated and in pain LOTS of oxy plus my Gabapentin plus my Co codamol plus other meds and all day I was told to drink water because my Blood Pressure was really low because their had been some blood loss during the operation even though it was successful, I was starting to feel as though I was drowning ( well maybe not that bad ) but I must have drank several litres of water to Try to get my blood pressure up whilst taking all the painkillers, they wanted me fit to go home that day I felt fit for nothing. It was 6 pm the day after surgery and I went home I was still aching I had been seen by the phisio walked around the ward went up a couple of steps and was declared fit to go home with a bag full of medication. SO now it’s 4am I’ve tried to get comfortable enough to sleep NO it’s not happening I’ve been to the loo 4 times because of drinking all that water I have just taken more painkillers and I’m going to have another go at trying to get comfortable and maybe sleep this is day 1 no 2 or maybe 3 including the day of my op . I’ll keep you informed how I get on with my recovery. Take care everyone

 

[djklaugh]

@Hopeful Manch I am so sorry you had a rough time with your shoulder surgery and sincerely hope you are feeling better now that you are at home! Do apply ice packs to your shoulder -- that will help with pain and reduce swelling. Sleeping is an issue for practically everyone following any kind of joint replacement surgery. Strategically placed pillows behind and around your shoulder may help set you up in a relatively comfortable position.

And ugh about the heat! That would make things miserable for anyone! Do you have air cooling devices to use? Fans, window air conditioners, or anything else?

 

[Hopeful Manch]

Hi guys thanks for the support , I had my reverse shoulder surgery 16 days ago , I went to see the nurse a couple of days ago she took the dressing off and ‘no stitches’ they were dissolvable ones it didn’t look to bad , the phisio regime is slow because of the pain ( Oxycodone and some other stuff ) is keeping me sane although it is painful, reading what others have done in phisio I have added to my phisio when I can . I can now sleep fairly well and I am looking to the internet YouTube to help me Push on , my phisio appointments are only every 3 weeks not good enough so along with slides on the table up the doors lying down trying to point my fingers at the ceiling fell stretch of my arm and circular rotation of my arm whilst pointing my fingers at the floor . WHAT ELSE CAN I DO ???? .
The pain is lessening every day now 16 days in . How did you cope after 16 days . Maybe I’m pushing to hard I don’t know I’ve know one to ask but you guys . Take care

 

[djklaugh]

@Hopeful Manch It is wonderful to hear that you are doing better! I am delighted that your incision is healing well and that you are sleeping better!

When I had each of my shoulders done the physio routine didn't start (other than a couple of swing the arm gently and stretch it on the counter exercises) until about 6 weeks after surgery. I went in to see them every 2 weeks and they gave me exercises to do at home. It is important to do those exercises diligently. The exercises were slowly progressive in difficulty to improved range of motion and to strengthen muscles. My PT gals did not do much manipulation in the office. Each visit they would have me do all the exercises I'd been doing then drop the ones that had become easy and add a few more difficult ones.

When you next see your PT folks, do ask them what you can do between visits. Recuperation from shoulder replacement can take a while ... and that is a good thing! You need to heal well first before straining the shoulder/arm. And healing is not just the incisions! There is a lot of internal healing that needs to happen too. Please do not add any exercises you see on the internet without clearing those with your physio people. Everyone's situation vis a vis shoulder replacement is different and needs to be structured to help YOU heal and recuperate in a way that is best for you!

 

[Hopeful Manch]

Djklaugh
Thank you for your input , maybe I am trying to rush things , the “pain” has subsided to an irritating ache ( 19 days in ) I am feeling so stressed maybe that is a lack of sleep I’ve not had a full nights sleep in 3 weeks and it’s telling , to aid recovery maybe my mental health should be looked at , should I see someone who could help I am exhausted this carn’t be helping I’m reaching out , this surgery has floored me .

 

[Hopeful Manch]

Hi all I’m 17 days after my op on my right shoulder my dominant arm I am now getting ambidextrous ( a little ) my pain level has gone from pain to ache 50% of the time . My phisio isn’t too bad but I’ve nothing to compare it to, I can slide my arm across the table (almost) as far as my good arm but trying to push my hand (arm) up the door is so painful and doesn’t go to far I carn’t lift it out in front of me higher than my shoulder which is just straight out , if I lie on the floor I am just about managing to push my fingers up to the ceiling that is my whole arm. As for using a sling I’d say at this point 17 days it’s about 60% of the time and I have my sling on all night . Talking about nights I still haven’t slept through, is this normal? . After day 16 I going I could brush my hair but I have to tilt my head over to the right to do that , eating is good but using my operated arm I’m having to push my arm against my ribs just to stabilise my arm enough to cut up my food . As I said is this about normal for 17 days . Tomorrow is a Big day and my arm will be doing a lot of exercise ( hopefully ) my 70th birthday so a lot of glass lifting hugging hand shaking , it’s all exercise . But seriously when do the strengthening exercises come I carn’t lift much I carn’t lift anything and put it on a shelf level with my shoulder. Is there a timetable for things you should be able to do after a certain length of time . Love you all and really like reading your stories . This is Steve from Manchester on the way to recovery .

 

[Debbie_joints]

@Hopeful Manch I am so sorry, I responded to you under someone elses post. I am pretty sure I missed when you came to the recovery forum. My 98 year old mom finally was ready for her next adventure. So I was pretty preoccupied with her, then she passed and we had the funeral. I was at the point after surgery that you are now when I had to first be at the hospital with mom, then her assisted living home. Trying to ice and doing my therapy three times a day. Lucky back then it wasnt much. I was also lucky that I didn't even need pain meds after a week or so. Anyway, I am apologizing that I didn't welcome you to they group. I know when I came in here I as looking for someone close to my surgery date to be able to compare notes.

I think you all better be installing air conditioners over there. My son and family spent time in France and he said it was so hot and nobody has AC. I would think the hospitals would have them, but obviously they don't.

I had to wear my sling for six weeks. I could take it off if I wa sitting around and had a pillow under it. But nightime was a must. I ended up sleeping in my recliner for around seven weeks. I also understand where you are coming from with your surgery being on your dominant arm. I learned to put my contacts on one handed. My hair was very challenging and my husband helping me with so many thing, but hair was beyond his expertise.

At the point you are at now, I was only doing simple movements with my hand, wrist, and elbow and only the therapist would move my shoulder. Now that I will be two months out tomorrow, I have to do 30 minutes of therapy, three times a day. It seems like every time I turn around, it is therapy time.

So, hope you are doing what you are suppose to do. Don't push it and take care.

 

[Hopeful Manch]

@Hopeful Manch I am so sorry, I responded to you under someone elses post. I am pretty sure I missed when you came to the recovery forum. My 98 year old mom finally was ready for her next adventure. So I was pretty preoccupied with her, then she passed and we had the funeral. I was at the point after surgery that you are now when I had to first be at the hospital with mom, then her assisted living home. Trying to ice and doing my therapy three times a day. Lucky back then it wasnt much. I was also lucky that I didn't even need pain meds after a week or so. Anyway, I am apologizing that I didn't welcome you to they group. I know when I came in here I as looking for someone close to my surgery date to be able to compare notes.

I think you all better be installing air conditioners over there. My son and family spent time in France and he said it was so hot and nobody has AC. I would think the hospitals would have them, but obviously they don't.

I had to wear my sling for six weeks. I could take it off if I wa sitting around and had a pillow under it. But nightime was a must. I ended up sleeping in my recliner for around seven weeks. I also understand where you are coming from with your surgery being on your dominant arm. I learned to put my contacts on one handed. My hair was very challenging and my husband helping me with so many thing, but hair was beyond his expertise.

At the point you are at now, I was only doing simple movements with my hand, wrist, and elbow and only the therapist would move my shoulder. Now that I will be two months out tomorrow, I have to do 30 minutes of therapy, three times a day. It seems like every time I turn around, it is therapy time.

So, hope you are doing what you are suppose to do. Don't push it and take care.

Hi Debbie half an hour 3 times a day WOW I feel exhausted just thinking about that but good on you I maybe should be in my recliner to get some sleep BUT our dog is getting stressed, that started when I went into hospital and when I came home I slept in the recliner and Jake our bundle of fluff a (Cavapoochon) slept with my wife upstairs on the bed I Really do think he is missing me ,he normally squeezes in between us he is now getting better I am not I don’t sleep well on the bed so I catch up on sleep in the recliner during the day. Anyway phisio after reading what you are doing thinking about the internal healing I think you are correct , it’s probably a man thing trying to rush getting better, later this week on the 8th that will be 4 weeks after the op back to phisio I’m taking on board what you have said and I’ll tell everyone how phisio went , I hope I haven’t gone on too much , I just like reading about how everybody is and compare it’s “therapeutic” 1 more thing Stay safe everyone Chat soon

 

[Hopeful Manch]

Bio-Oil
Does this work for scarring . My reverse shoulder replacement and a scar 12cm long not nice at the moment but only a few weeks after surgery, so does Bio-Oil work when do you start applying it and how often.
Steve from Manchester

 

[Debbie_joints]

@Hopeful Manch best to ask your surgeon. They don't want you applying anything to that incision too early. It will look better soon. Heck, I look at all my surgery sites, 14 miscellaneous surgeries, as my hard core tatoos.

 

[Layla]

Hello @Hopeful Manch
Your incision scar will improve in appearance over time, most likely fading also. You shouldn't apply anything without a nod from your surgeon.

Sometimes the skin around your incision becomes dry and itchy while healing. Although it is okay to put lotion or cream on the surrounding skin if it is uncomfortable, you should not apply anything close to or on the stitches or incision without the approval of your surgeon. It normally takes four to six weeks for the incision to fully heal and close. You don't want to risk infection by applying a product near an open area before that time. Some of the more common creams and lotions used on a healed incision are Bio-Oil, Vitamin E Oil, E45 Cream, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil. You can also research the product ACTIVE hydrogel which is a gel that contains hypochlorous (HOCL), a compound made naturally by your body to promote healing. It can be applied to your incision at any point during recovery - it's a germ fighter as well as a healing and moisturizing agent. But you still should discuss its use with your surgeon before using it.
Best Wishes as you continue healing!

 

[Hopeful Manch]

Hey Layla it’s nice to read all of what you say and I’m taking it all on board I’ll be going back to the Hospital in 10 days I’ll be asking Questions on pain medication and on scar treatment , thanks again .
Steve from Manchester

 

[Layla]

Best of luck with your appointment. Also, there is a link to the ACTIVE hydrogel I mentioned above, it is at the top right of the page so you can learn more about it.
A great rest of the week to you!
@Hopeful Manch

 

[Jamie]

@Hopeful Manch .... It does sound to me like you were not given adequate guidelines for your activity following your shoulder replacement. Normally, a person will spend the first 6 weeks in an immobilizing sling like this:

During this time you are not to lift things as your shoulder is healing. Exercises should be minimal just to keep the shoulder mobile so it doesn't "freeze up." The circular motion with your arm hanging down is a good one to do a couple of times a day. You can also use a pulley to get some passive motion of the shoulder joint. This exercise can be done twice a day. Start with just 5 minutes and VERY gradually work up to 10-15 minutes of slow movement. It should not hurt to do this as it's a passive exercise.

Check with your doctor to see if you can try something else for pain if what you're taking isn't working. You may be able to switch to Tramadol and Paracetamol used together on a schedule through the day and night. But I really want to encourage you to not push your shoulder at this early stage. I think that is likely the reason for your continued pain. It is still healing and you need to treat it very gently.

 

[Joy0987]

@Hopeful Manch .... It does sound to me like you were not given adequate guidelines for your activity following your shoulder replacement. Normally, a person will spend the first 6 weeks in an immobilizing sling like this:

During this time you are not to lift things as your shoulder is healing. Exercises should be minimal just to keep the shoulder mobile so it doesn't "freeze up." The circular motion with your arm hanging down is a good one to do a couple of times a day. You can also use a pulley to get some passive motion of the shoulder joint. This exercise can be done twice a day. Start with just 5 minutes and VERY gradually work up to 10-15 minutes of slow movement. It should not hurt to do this as it's a passive exercise.

Check with your doctor to see if you can try something else for pain if what you're taking isn't working. You may be able to switch to Tramadol and Paracetamol used together on a schedule through the day and night. But I really want to encourage you to not push your shoulder at this early stage. I think that is likely the reason for your continued pain. It is still healing and you need to treat it very gently.

I had to wait six weeks before I could do the pulley exercises. At 7 weeks I have trouble doing the pulley with my back to the wall. I have to wait until 12 weeks to do any strengthening exercises.