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Standard Shoulder Replacement Arthritic Shoulder

robtccharles

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Had surgery on Friday 17th a given a 4 day block. Late Friday hand an fingers started tingling. Got no sleep Friday night. Saturday block continues to wear down. Took one 500 Tylenol at 11am and one at 4pm. Went to bed at 10 and took 2 Aleve pm and got a good nights sleep/been feeling good all day now. Block effect only in the upper arm now. Question: in preparation for end of block when should I start taking the opioid or other pain medication?
 
Welcome to the Recovery side!

Did your surgical team give you instructions when you left the hospital? If not, you should contact the office and ask what they recommend.

In general, BoneSmart recommends staying ahead of the pain by taking your pain medication on a regular schedule -- even if you aren't in pain.
 
So glad to hear that your new shoulder is in place and you’re feeling pretty good. That’s really great.
When I was getting close to bedtime is when I’d consider taking something a bit stronger.
It sure isn’t much fun waking up in the middle of the night in pain or even discomfort.
I hope you are able to sleep well at night!
 
So I am 6 days post surgery and 2 days past the nerve block effective period. I have also had two pt sessions which were very “easy”. Here’s the “problem”, I have had virtually no pain! I took one OxyContin and several Tylenol since the surgery and I take 2 Aleve pm before bedtime. I keep waiting for the shoe/pain to drop! I hope I am not jinxing myself!
 
That is a wonderful thing isn’t it? Honestly, some of my friends who’ve had knee replacements have said that their shoulder replacement was so much easier. I think they used pain meds for the first week or two though!
Maybe it’s also due to your pain threshold?

We all have something to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day., but your update is a very good reason for yourself. :loveshwr:
Now I am quietly tiptoeing away just in case this is adding to the risk of jinxing you.
 
@robtccharles It is a blessing that you are not in pain! But do continue to be gentle with the shoulder! No pain does not necessarily mean it is fully healed and ready to get back to strenuous actions.

Happy Thanksgiving :cheers:
 
This is wonderful news about your lack of pain. I didn't have much with my shoulder either. I think I went to 1000mg of Extra Strength Tylenol at bedtime after about 3 days. It means you likely didn't have a lot of damage other than the arthritis and your surgeon was careful not to manipulate a lot of soft tissue. If you don't need opioid medications, don't take them. You can always add one if you need it at night to sleep. Try Tylenol first and hopefully that and an NSAID will take care of any discomfort.

Do take things very easy for the first 6 weeks until you see your surgeon again, though. There is a lot of healing going on in there and you want it to continue without interruption from too much activity.
 
Still have no real pain! Had x-rays and saw the physician assistant and everything looked good. Emphasis on need to be patient as time is needed for muscles to heal. PT is ongoing and will increase in intensity as healing increases. Will see my surgeon in 4 weeks.
 
Emphasis on need to be patient as time is needed for muscles to heal.
Yes! We sometimes forget that we need to heal before we can start rebuilding strength and mobility. My surgeon likes to say that the most important muscle to exercise after a joint replacement is the Patience Muscle.

Slow and steady!
 
Had a slight set back with the incision site bleeding! My surgeon prescribed antibiotics and said it wasn’t infected but a hematoma which he massaged and squeezed some more blood out. He said to change dressing and monitor. It’s been 36 hours and bleeding/ oozing has stopped. Arm is still blue and discolored and hopefully the remaining hematoma will heal in time. Always something! Still no real pain!
 
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Sorry you had to deal with a hematoma! They can happen but it sound like things are under control now. Very good that you are not dealing with excessive pain. Just baby that shoulder for now. Lots of healing going on!
 
Having slight pain in my forearm! Hopefully it’s just part of the healing process! Have PT session later today.
 
Sounds like a "normal” response but I’m basing this on both of my THR’s with wandering arhes and pains plus zips/zaps.
Will be interested in what PT says.
 
So I am now three and one half months post surgery and my shoulder feels great! I ended physical therapy last week and will see my surgeon Tuesday and I am pretty sure he will agree that I have had a good result! I’m still a couple of months out from a full golf swing but will be able to chip and putt. No tackle football though! This procedure was a lot less difficult than the knee surgery!
 
No tackle football, though.. hahaha I would guess not. But sounds like resuming your golf game is looming closer. :yes!:
So happy to read this update. Shoulder replacements are pretty amazing!
 
@robtccharles Bravo! Sorry we don't have any golfing emojis .... the tennis one was the closest I could find to good shoulder action. :yay::tennis2:
 
@robtccharles I'm getting my TSR this Monday, after a rotator cuff repair back in Sept. Question, how was sleeping with your TSR? With my rotator cuff repair, I was unable to sleep in bed for a month. Also, had the sling on for 8-9 weeks. Hearing and hoping the TSR is a shorter recovery, than the cuff repair. Like you, hoping to get back to pain free golf this summer. You figure you'll be 4-5 months before swinging the driver?
Good to hear yours went well.
 
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