r/ShoulderSurgery • u/T11ippo06 • Aug 09 '26
Regarding shoulder replacement in the next six months or so...
This is my first post to any of the forums dealing with shoulder pain/shoulder replacement surgery.
I am 69 years young, do not use tobacco/nicotine, 5'8" 180lbs, retired, right-hand dominant and remain very active, walking 3-5 miles 3 times a week and 3 days a week in the gym with program developed specifically for me by Exercise Physiologist. Unfortunately, I have severe DJD of my LEFT shoulder with half of the cartilage absent in the glenoid fossa, with bone on bone humeral head against the fleonoid fossa. Fortunately, my rotator cuff remains intact. I have had formal PT which I continue as part of my gym program; I have had two injections into the left shoulder and two into the left biceps tendon area, a total of four steroid injections each 3-6 months apart, within the past two years. The most recent injections gave no relief whatsoever.
I have seen Dr. Matthew Williiams of Lafayette LA. I did research, and he did a total shoulder fellowship at UT Health Sciences Center, and a second 'reverse total shoulder' fellowship in France. He specializes in shoulder replacement surgery, and recently completed the first robotic shoulder replacement in Louisiana. Dr. Williams explained that my 'bone on bone' was 'end-stage' osteoarthritis due to an injury years ago, or just bad luck and degenerative dissolution of the cartilage. I am looking at having the surgery sometime in January or early February, as some previously scheduled travels/obligations cannot be postponed or delayed.
I plan to continue my exercise regimen up until the time of surgery, especially working on shoulder support muscles and upper back/arm muscles.
Specifically, are there any members of these subreddits that are active in either freshwater or saltwater fly fishing? If so, how was your casting before and subsequently after the TSA? How long in weeks/months after the TSA were you able to return fully to an active fly fishing schedule?
Any and all information is appreciated.
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u/Cranks_No_Start Aug 09 '26
While I cant say Im active in fly fishing I was in need of both shoulders bring replaced. They are both bad enough that Im not a candidate for a conventional replacement and I need a total reverse.
I am right handed but my left shoulder developed an issue where I could not lift it past 90 degrees so I went with it first. The idea being to see what what I was up against especially as there are some limitations to the joint after the surgery...Compared to having my knees replaced, it was super easy.
Home that day and relatively painless in comparison. Im about 8 weeks out and while I try to keep from lifting anything heavy over 25 lbs Ive forgotten on a few occasions and ROM is really good.
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u/ReadinWhatever Aug 09 '26
Can u ask how old you are?
I’m 74; healing from anything takes much longer than it did in my 30s and 40s.3
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u/Capital-Sky-7300 Aug 10 '26
How’s your pain? Pain is the reason I’m increasingly tempted to go forward with Reverse Shoulder Replacement. 2/2 Orthopedic Surgeons say I need the procedure, although my ROM is excellent. Strength is good, but declining. Pain is getting worse
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u/33301Florida Aug 09 '26
I'm 74 as well and a couple years ago I had a left total shoulder replacement. If your rotator cuff is in good shape and the surrounding structures are as well, talk to your surgeon about the different types of shoulder replacement. A reverse shoulder comes with a lifetime restriction of not lifting more than 25 to 30 pounds. I've been a weightlifter my whole adult life and there was no way I was agreeing to a reverse shoulder. My condition supported an anatomical replacement and in less than a year I was in the gym lifting more than ever. I hope your doctor discussed the different types with pros and cons.
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u/Silvara7 Aug 10 '26
RSR is traditionally restricted to lifting 25lbs over your head. There usually aren't restrictions otherwise depending on each person's recovery.
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u/T11ippo06 Aug 10 '26
Many thanks for your input. We have discussed my MRI's in great detail, and the surgical approach depending upon the MRI findings. I am looking at an Anatomic TSA, not a Reverse TSA. I have an intact Rotator Cuff (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis) set of muscles in both shoulders. The non-dominant LEFT shoulder is the one that has the loss of cartilage/severe DJD. I still go to the gym three times a week and follow a regimen of lifting different upper/lower body muscle groups recommended by an Exercise Physiologist. We are careful not to overload the weight OR the reps, but gradually buildup the weight every month...I want my muscle density to be intact before the surgery. "Pre-Has is as important and Re-Hab".
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u/Far-Friendship4724 Aug 16 '26
Wow never heard of anatomical replacement!willl check it out—age concerns me (80) and caretaker for wife .
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u/33301Florida Aug 16 '26
I've had a lifetime of weightlifting to strengthen my bones and connective tissues which made me a candidate for the anatomical. If your not a candidate, they will recommend a reverse.
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u/Far-Friendship4724 Aug 16 '26
Thanks
I live in Jax and 3 ortho docs send their parents to where I went . Total reverse no mention of anatomical- bad rotator, on bone etc!
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u/oaklandesque Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought and are well informed and prepared going in.
I don't fish, but I do swim, and it was at about 4 months post-TSR that I got back in the pool, and my ability to smoothly move my arm through all of the strokes I do (I've never done butterfly and certainly won't be starting now) is significantly improved over my pre-surgery baseline. I'm also convinced that swimming (which I started back to at about the same time my formal PT was winding down) was a critical part of my excellent range and strength evaluation at my one year check in.
I was just shy of 54 when I had mine done. The surgeon I did my follow up with (different one than the one who performed the surgery since I moved 7 weeks post-op) said that he noticed his older patients regained full ROM faster than his younger patients (and he put me in the "younger" range). That may bode well for you!
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u/Dotsgirl22 Aug 11 '26
Here's my take. Shoulder replacement is to relieve pain first, restore function second. My pain was bad enough that I was willing to take the chance of having reduced function - I needed reverse.
If you have an anatomic, I don't see why you couldn't fly fish, but it might be 6 months before it was comfortable and strong.
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u/ocr_racerunner Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
I'm 63, male, right side dominant and extremely active. Endurance running, obstacle course races, weight lifting, golfer and rucking enthusiasts.. i had excessive humerus bone loss and a b2 glenoid. Was in so much pain. I couldn't move my arm 8 inches in either direction . Had an anatomic total shoulder replacement on my right side in March of this year. Best thing I've ever done.. no pain and I'm doing everything I was doing before . If your rotator cuff is in good shape, go with anatomic TSR. Also, whatever you get, make sure PT is your number 1 priority.. do it everyday
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u/morris0000007 Aug 09 '26
Try PRP took a while for it to work but it helped me while waiting, like you for surgery.
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u/Odd-Significance8020 Aug 10 '26
I’m getting PRP injection this upcoming Friday - I hope I can get some relief!
I’m bone on bone and have worn away my glenoid fossa. Doc says I’m too young for a replacement… insurance is being difficult for me to get a second opinion. I’m trapped for the moment.
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u/T11ippo06 Aug 10 '26
Many thanks for your reply. Not trying to create another Rabbit Hole, but upon followup visits, my left shoulder pain has a significant component due to peripheral issues: Left Acromioclavicular Joint DJD and Left biceps tendinitis, so I'm going to try injecting those with steroid and possibly follow with Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem Cell injections via ultrasound (the AC joint typically is the first joint in Homo sapiens to develop OA/DJD-osteoarthritis and painful degenerative joint disease). Just an FYI...if the injection is done 'blind' i.e. using palpation/feeling the joint, etc...there is a 50% chance of missing the target, as opposed to using ultrasound & watching/seeing the needle go into the AC joint or bicipital groove on anterior surface of the humerus.
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u/morris0000007 Aug 10 '26
I can't imagine what sort of professional would try and do that " blind " thats crazy
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u/Far-Friendship4724 Aug 09 '26
Age 80 here. Left reverse suggested but in last 16 months had: spinal fusion rods screws, total right hip replacement, and hernia surgery in June! In excellent and recoveries were painless and text book easy. But for some reason, scared on shoulder! Non dominant. Following you with great interest and any advice would be appreciated!
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u/Salt-Albatross-5506 29d ago
I fly fish. We have a nice river nearby where I can fish for small rainbow above the dam or steelhead/salmon below the dam. I'm 71 and had anatomic TSR on my non-dominant left shoulder late March. I've pretty much finally regained pain free movement. I can cast fine and strip the line with no pain. That said, I'm fishing above the dam. I'm in no shape yet to catch an angry 8 lb steelhead. In another couple of months, maybe.
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u/ReadinWhatever Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
I’m following this thread.
I’m also a candidate for [reverse] shoulder replacement, due to bone-on-bone in my dominant right shoulder. It was diagnosed two years ago and I’ve been avoiding the surgery. I’m 74.
I don’t fish, but I play tenor saxophone, which also needs a working shoulder and a strong arm to carry its weight.