Kathy thanks shoulder replacement

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for your response. I am 55 and also fairly fit although my muscles in

my arm struggle, as I had to wait 2 years to get this done.

I had 3 shoulders done on the other side,just last year, plus a rotator

cuff tear, and ended up with a reverse shoulder as the tendons were all

shot to pieces, and it was an extremely difficult rehab as I had a brachial

plexus injury and lost all function in my hand and arm and thankfully it

returned 3 months later.

So I knew what to expect. This isn't new to me but the pain I had been

experiencing was different to past times, and as this was a straight forward

revision, I expected to have a bit less pain. Revisions generally are harder

than the first joint.

I also don't have a good arm the other side as the 4 surgeries left me with

very limited movement. I can not wash or brush my hair alone, I can not get

dressed alone as I can't lift the other arm arm higher than my mouth.

Thank Goodness, I don't work there is no way I could go to work at 3 weeks

can't sleep and still taking pain pills.

The blood tests I had done to check for infection have finally come back to

normal they were high at my 2 week check.

I think half my problem is I keep taking the shoulder out of the sling as

its so hot here its almost unbearable.I do keep it beside me, but it

obviously takes a bit of effort to hold it there.

I am not going to physio as I am not allowed to do anything for 6 weeks.

What little I can do, I can do here, I will go when the surgeon says its

okay to do more.

I can assure you a hip replacement is a walk in the park in comparison.,

who is poldding on.

shoulder replacement

k_j_cotten@...

Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 11:12 AM

Hi

I have had a total shoulder replacement, three years ago when I was 52. I

was fit and so the muscles and bones were good.

It took a long time, this is not an overnight recovery. You have to be

patient and positive. I was extremely positive and I saw very good progress

even on a daily basis and I did my physio religiously. I worked at home,

just using my hand and wrist after two days, but I kept my arm in close

elbow by my side. I followed the protocol exactly, no internal movements,

no lifting more than a dinner plate for 12 weeks etc?? I don't remember. I

was going to physio once a week and then after a month, I stopped and

realized I can do it on my own several times a day based on the

papers/diagrams. I came back to work after a week or 10 days.

My only problem was sleeping as I don't like pain pills and I

could not get comfortable on my back. I did not sleep well for two weeks.

Follow your doctors protocol and do your physio. My range of motion is

great and I am pain free. I do not overdo things, like push ups or heavy

weights or carry excessively heavy parcels. Most important, I am pain free

but NOT looking forward to my hip replacement or my other shoulder which I

have been told needs to be done.

Let me know if you have any questions. Do your physio and know what to

expect. I know I was happy being able to brush my teeth but could not make

a ponytail for quite a long time. I remember not cutting a canteloupe,

steak or making my bed for a couple of weeks.

Be patient, but yes, be aware of not normal pain.

Take care,

Kathy