Shoulder Replacement Surgery

obxnana · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

After months of EXTREME right shoulder pain and limited movement, I underwent a total shoulder replacement surgery. I had never heard of it before and yet it has been done for 20 years! I am only 55 years old and the pain was horrible . It was totally from degenerative arthritis. My DR. said the bones were wore away. Well, my surgery was a great success! I hardly even used pain meds during my recovery. It has been 3 months since my surgery. I am using my arm almost normally - still some weakness. I was told 6 months to a year for total recovery. I was not promised to have the movement I had 20 years ago, but with no pain, I will take it!
My Rheumatologist has said I should see a hand specialist for the same problem with my index and middle fingers. I cannot undergo any more cortisone shots for the pain. So, I suppose knuckle replacement is next. While this is also due to arthritis, I believe it was caused by Sister Mary Regina in kindergarten smacking my left hand with a wooden ruler every time I picked up my pencil with my left hand. In those days they thought being left-handed was the sign of evilness!

AutumnGold · Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: England UK

I had a Copeland Hemi-Arthroplasty, left shoulder, 4 April 06. Have been in considerable pain ever since. Awaiting a second opinion consultation.

Hemi-Arthroplasty life expectancy is about 10-12 years.

My problem was/is arthritis and osteophytes. Took up Pilates and was regaining good mobility. I should never have had the surgery. My ROM (range of movement) is very poor, about 40% as opposed to prior to surgery 70% on poor days and 90% on good days. There seems to be considerable nerve damage and also muscle damage. I am living on anti-inflammatories and pain meds - far more so then ever before. The shooting pains are like thin metal skewers being driven into the shoulder and humerus, excruciating - many times has me screaming out, involuntary screaming as the stabs happen.

I would never contemplate this type of replacement surgery again. This surgery has affectively thrown my active life onto the compost heap.

Revision for a Copeland Hemi-A is full replacement and then one is lumbered. A full and active life is not possible thereafter - my activities are horse riding, dog training, mushing (sled dogs, sledding), gardening. My life style is not sedentary.

This surgery has ruined my life.

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Chris24 · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

I am a 36 year old male living near Grand Rapids, MI, USA. I have been dealing with deterioration of my shoulder joints. Specifically my right shoulder. I have had a couple arthroscopic procedures done. What the doctors are saying is that the ball of my shoulder somehow has a deep crushed indention in it which is scraping and tearing away at the glenoid all the way to the bone (the indentation in the head of the humerus is also to the bone). This is what they say is causing the catching, popping and pain in my shoulder. To memory, I do not recall ever injuring my shoulder. My left shoulder is at the stages of where my right was at in the beginning. I have been dealing with this for 11 or so years now. I have two young boys with whom I cannot play with. I cannot throw a ball, shovel, rake, exercise, swim, work on cars (which is my love), or anything that requires lifting or rotating of my arms. If I do manage to do anything or do it without first thinking, I pay for it for days with extreme pain. I rate the pain at an 8 or 9 on a 10 scale. I rate a normal day between 5 to 7.

The latest specialist (who did the last arthroscopy) says that I need a replacement but he won’t advise it until later in life. He says that my range of motion and quality of life would be worse than what it is now. From what I have read, this should actually improve since my muscles and rotator muscles, while weak, are all undamaged as far as we can tell.

Any advice on what I can do? Anyone you recommend I speak to? I am so sorry for the email but I am getting desperate.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

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