Reverse Shoulder Replacement T5 Paraplegic RSR looking for other wheelchair users

[paraT5]

I'm a T5 paraplegic and full time wheelchair user. I'm looking for information regarding long term recovery. How soon were you allowed to do a transfer from bed to chair without a sliding board? How do you get your pants up on the side of your replacement? How soon were you able to push your wheelchair?
I'm using a motorized chair and I'm longing to get back into my regular small, lightweight manual wheelchair. The motorized chair won't fit in my truck and its too heavy for anyone to lift to take me places. I've been pretty much homebound for the past 3 months. I've been somewhat content with being home, but I'm so ready to rejoin the world.

 

[djklaugh]

@paraT5 Welcome to BoneSmart! I don't recall anyone here who has been in your precise situation but we do have a number of folks who have had a reverse shoulder replacement who may be able to give you some guidance. My SRs were both standard ones and it took me about 4 months after each to be able to be fully functional re things like pulling up pants easily, getting shirts on easily and using new shoulder to help boost me out of a chair.

Have you asked your surgeon about these concerns? Or do you know a physical therapist who specializes in working with patients with paraplegia who could help you find answers?

After any kind of shoulder replacement you will be in a padded sling for at least a couple of weeks and those are a nuisance but not uncomfortable. And to the best of my knowledge reverse replacements have different limitations than standard ones. Your surgeon would be the best person to outline those for you.

Best of luck to you. If you have a date for your surgery already - or when you get one - let us know and we will create a signature for you. Do feel free to read any thread here or over in shoulder recovery. If you put "reverse shoulder" in the search function that should give you a list of pertinent threads.

 

[paraT5]

My surgery was performed 6/20/22. Saw my surgeon today and he released me to begin rtc and scapular stabilizer strengthening exercises. I'm allowed to begin strengthening and working my way up to transfers and pushing my manual chair. We talked about transfers from wheelchair to bed and shower bench. He gave me good instruction for PT/OT, but due to limited number of paraplegics he's done (3, now 4 counting me), he doesn't have a lot of information other than he had good outcomes and expects me to recover my independence. He was unable to give me a lot of information on timeline. I am most interested in timeline. I know everyone is different, but I would love to have another paraplegic to share information and experience. Maybe some tips on what works best and what to avoid.
I'm so happy to be a member here and have been lurking and reading posts on RSRs for about 6 weeks. Thanks for all the info, I've learned a lot.

 

[djklaugh]

@paraT5 I've searched the forum and could not locate anyone else here who is paraplegic and has had a shoulder replacement. I am sorry I am not able to offer any definitive information for you. I will ask my colleagues if anyone has other resources for you. The key for successful recuperation from any shoulder replacement is to take things slow and heal first before doing strengthening. I can full appreciate you wanting to get back to your light weight chair and your usual routine!! And yet you do not want to risk further injury to muscles, rotator cuff, tendons etc. Nor risk a dislocation of the shoulder implants.

 

[Jamie]

@paraT5.....I love your positive spirit and eagerness to get back to a normal life for yourself. I'm so happy you are doing well after your shoulder replacement. Since we haven't had anyone with a similar experience yet on the forum, I hope you can provide lots of details as to what you go through so others who may follow you can have the benefit of your recovery story. It's good you identified your desire to find another person going through this in your thread title. It's always possible that someone who is not currently a member will see it and join to talk with you. I'm glad to hear your surgeon is confident you'll be back using your manual wheelchair following some therapy. Hang in there.....good days are coming!