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Reverse Shoulder Replacement I’m on the healing side now

Designista

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Surgery was yesterday morning. According to the surgeon everything went well. I don't like the nerve block, it’s not fun dealing with a heavy non-functioning arm. I’m feeling tingles so I think feeling will be back today. General anesthetic does a number on my asthma so I’m using my nebulizer and drinking lots of water to clear things up.
Last night as I was navigating my bedtime routines, I impressed myself with what I was able to do with one hand.then I thought ”you’ve been training for this for months and when my feeling returns, I will have the use of my fingers too.
my incision is covered with this super waterproof dressing that will come off next week at my follow up appointment. I was told I could shower when I feel up to it.
 
@Designista Welcome to shoulder recovery! Yes those tingly sensations usually mean the nerve block is wearing off and full sensation is returning ... they can be quite odd to experience.

May your recuperation go smoothly and your shoulder heal beautifully!
 
Welcome!!! Looking forward to your updates as you progress.
 
Day 2 update. Nerve block is gone and the pain is manageable on Tylenol. I haven’t even had a Tramadol since yesterday afternoon. I have this super waterproof dressing on my surgical site so I can attempt a quick shower with my hand held shower. One thing I’ve noticed this time is the extreme fatigue that this anethesia caused. It also exacerbated my asthma.
 
almost three week update. This has not been easy by any means. I will never do any kind of nerve block. I really hated it. I continue having nerve zaps running down my arm but the Pain is pretty much gone and I have started PT 3x a week. It feels strange to move my arms in ways that haven’t been possible for about 6 months. I really HATE the shoulder immobilizer and plan on burning it when I’m done. These things are not made for women and are sooooo uncomfortable for my breasts. Sleeping upright is doing a number on my back too.
My exacerbated asthma is still an issue and I will be starting a biologic medicine for asthma soon. This has been OKed by my surgeon.
 
Yeah, zingers and zaps can be.... strange. Hopefully they'll quiet down soon and let you get on with your PT in peace.

How much longer are you to wear the implement of tortu...um... immobilizer? Pathetic how half the world is women and people who design things don't take it into account.
 
Another 3 weeks in the immobilizer.
First week of PT done (13 more to go). What I’m noticing most is not pain but a strange sensation (this is hard to describe) that everything is moving in a weird way. It may just the actual mechanics are just so different with a reverse replacement. The stretches feel really good though. I forgot the convivial atmosphere at the PT and look forward to it.
 
5 week update: making good progress with PT, (I go to the place 3x a week and another time at home for a total of 2x a day) my range of motion is steadily improving. This surgery demands you to work for your recovery with PT. I have a 6 week follow up appointment with my surgeon on Thursday March 14. Still having nerve zaps and aches in my hand, but it doesn't impede mobility. The pain moves around and shows up in different locations in my hand, today my thumb is aching.
I have been working from home (graphic designer) for a few weeks now. I have a low keyboard shelf I’ve added to my desk so I can control everything from a trackpad. I only work a few days a week but it’s been important to me now as a good distraction from the shoulder immobilizer and hand zaps.
 
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An excellent update!!
:flwrysmile:
Yes, in my limited shoulder experience the shoulder surgeon had specific PTs he trusted with good reason and yes it really felt like a collaboration with my PT.
 
Just returned from my 6 week checkup with my surgeon. I’m free of the immobilizer. It seems I’m a bit ahead of schedule on my range of motion (PT is hard work) So that is good news. My nerve Issues in my hand were discussed and since it changes daily, the doctor seems to think this will resolve. I’m starting to have periods when the hand feels pretty normal.
 
3 days shy of 8 weeks: was making good progress in PT but seems we have hit a snag. This week my bicep has seemed to tighten up. I mentioned this to my PT and she did some soft tissue massage and found that the muscle is very tight. To me it feels like knots are in there. The massaging helped but now I’m taking it easy this weekend with the PT, mainly stretches. In the last few weeks light weights were added to shoulder shrugs. What I want to find out is this a common occurrence to backstep a bit on recovery during the process? Recovery has been fairly linear so far.
 
Yes, not unusual.

As part of the healing process all the soft tissues are readjusting and the upper arm is definitely part of that.

Shoulder shrugs are unlikely source of biceps chronically contracting. It's more likely that the time spent in the immobilizer led to it. The knots are bundles of tight, contracted muscle fibers.

With some moist heat and continued gentle stretching they should start to ease. It's definitely not a good idea to do strengthening on the biceps during this time - those knots need to release first.

Your PT might be able to do some pressure work on them - some know this, some don't - that is uncomfortable but helps release them. You can try it yourself with your opposite hand's fingertips, slowly pressing into each knot while doing slow deep breathing.
 
Went to PT today and we worked on mainly stretches. My range of motion is still excellent but this new extreme soreness on the bicep is probably caused by overworking the muscle. So I’ve lost some strength. She said that this usually happens a few weeks after release from the immobilizer. Even though I was mindful of keeping with certain restrictions, I did too much. So back to reality, slowly.
 
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though I was mindful of keeping with certain restrictions, I did too much.
Welcome to the ODIC (OverDid It Club) bench! We've all spent time on it at least once in recovery.

Sometime it really is hard to know how much is too much until we cross that line. Give yourself some grace and think of it as a learning opportunity. Slow and steady!

Hope the rest of your week is less painful!
 
Pain increased last night so I called my surgeon’s office and went in for an X-ray. The X-ray looks good, no fractures but in an abundance of caution, I’m off PT for two weeis. The deltoid muscles are not happy as they ride over the acromion. I’m really glad I went in because the PA says she see this pretty often, it can develop into a chronic problem. I’m only allowed table slides now, icing it and taking NSAIDs. Two steps forward and then one step back.
 
I'm glad you took the precaution of following up and getting the x-ray.
Hang in there, let it heal.
 
So I’ve been on a PT hiatus for two weeks and I finally feel I’m back to before the “almost stress fracture” aside from the movement of everyday living, I’ve really been babying the shoulder. I go back to PT tomorrow, so I’m a bit nervous. On another issue that popped up is one of my teeth is showing some pain signs. Upon consulting with my dentist, in an abundance of caution, they have prescribed antibiotics until I can get in to see the dentist next week. To distract myself from these issues, I’m devising ways to garden that won’t aggravate my shoulder and I’m noticing my left arm is becoming very strong to compensate for the right side
 
I’m noticing my left arm is becoming very strong to compensate for the right side
Don't you love how our bodies adapt when they need to?

I'm sorry about the tooth issue; hope it's not something serious.
 
Back to PT for two sessions and the shoulder gets pretty sore the day after, so taking it easy. This is an interesting dance I have to play with the shoulder, PT, soreness, then rest and repeat.
 

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