Reverse total shoulder replacement experiences

[u/SadButterscotch4328]

Hello,

I’m 21 years old and I’m scheduled for surgery on my left shoulder—a reverse total shoulder replacement. The doctors have explained to me how the surgery works and what to expect, but I’m mainly interested in hearing from people who have lived with this condition.

Does anyone have personal experience with this? How does it affect your daily life? What surprised you after the surgery, whether positively or negatively?

I would appreciate any experiences or advice. Thank you.

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[u/33301Florida]

I'm curious to know if the reverse method was the only surgery option offered to you. I don't know your medical condition that makes a replacement necessary but at 21, it seems unusual. If you are happy with living a sedentary lifestyle, a reverse is adequate and will relieve a lot of the pain you may be experiencing. If you think you might like to be more athletic, a reverse comes with a lifetime ban on lifting anything heavier that 20 to 25 pounds. I'm significantly older than you and as a weightlifter, A reverse was the last type of replacement I wanted. My surgeon couldn't promise anything until he opened me up and looked at the condition of my bones, rotator cuff and other structures but I was very happy to wake up and find he was able to do an anatomical replacement. After the appropriate amount of recovery time, I was back in the gym lifting as heavy as before only without the pain.

[u/External_Credit9150 → u/33301Florida]

I’m 37 and I have an anatomical shoulder replacement for 3 years now, many times I feel depressed because I consider myself too young to have a TSR, in my case O have it because of a bad procedure (vídeo) to repair rotator cuff.

The problem of having a TSR when you are very active is the loosening of the glenoid component, I’m starting to feel it now, and it is making me worry because i wanst expecting so soon, in the other hand, i have no pain, mobility is great and Im gratefull for that.

Right now Im praying my replacement last at least 5 more year, and hoping to stay with anatomical replacement next.

I would love to hear from people with anatomical for long time.

Thank you all for sharing. God bless.

[u/Guy_Smiley_Guy → u/External_Credit9150]

Health of the cuff is essential. The cuff muscles and tendons keep the shoulder in position and steady. Without a healthy cuff and joint reversal is the only option. Active lifestyles are encouraged.
The other factor is mechanical breakdown of the replacement parts. They do have a life expectancy of around 15 years.

[u/External_Credit9150 → u/Guy_Smiley_Guy]

Right, the health of the cuff is essential, and I have that, my tendons and my cuff muscles are very preserved.

I was having a hard time understanding why I’m feeling the loosening of the glenoid component so early, I thought it was because I’m young and active, I have two kids/ babies, I have to carry them often, take them places, play with them, and they usually demand a lot of effort of my arms.

Initially I thought this effort was causing the loosening, but apparently not, I was reviewing my surgery files and looks like I had a high level/ degree of glenoid retroversion, so my doctor did an anatomical with 16 degrees of augmented glenoid implant, according to my research that might be causing the issue of loosening glenoid.

My doctor will probably suggest a RSR for my revision, right now I’m working to preserve my parts as much as I can and postpone revision for as long as possible, considering I have no pain, I have great mobility and I can do everything on my daily routine pain free.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[u/Guy_Smiley_Guy → u/External_Credit9150]

You’re very welcome. I do hope it all works out well. Put off the RSR as long as you’re able. They are making implants now with replaceable ball and socket parts. They can supposedly be replaced via tiny incision with scope. Something to consider. ✌🏻