Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Hi, I am an active 61 year old woman in good health but.... I have terrible shoulder pain.  Doctor said my only choice is to have total replacment of my shoulder (I have been suffering with this for the past 4 years.... and it gets worse everyday).  I am in constant pain and work on a computer all day making it worse.  Reading some of these horror stories, I am really questioning going through with it (scheduled for July 21, 2011).  What should I do? 

Hi - I am new. so apologies, and please bear with me. What a post - expressing unspoken or unknown feelings of my own. I had a reverse Shoulder Replacement 4+ years ago. Miserable is an adept description but it can get worse. Anyone with an appliance must be knowledgeable about infections. I had hand surgery and picked up a MRSA type infection that attacks appliances. I was on the strongest antibiotic via PICC line and suffered cognitive impairment. One year after it is getting better. If possible, can you post how you are doing. Thanks

i had a partial replacement on my shoulder 5 months ago which has not worked , i only have 40% movement , pain horrendous and the consultant is now saying a full shoulder replacement is needed i wont let him do this now as know what it involves and cant go through it again

Where did you have the shoulder done and by who?

I had the Copeland done in the UK in Lincolnshire. The surgeon made a total bish of the surgery.


I have all the hospital notes. Fellow also 'claimed' to have done an SAD/ACJ, subsequently turned out he was lying. Also turned out that I did not need any form of a replacement ONLY the SAD/ACJ... Nine months after the original shoulder surgery I had to undergo further surgery (at Notts) owing to the appalling mess the first fella had made (Grimsby). Had an SAD/ACJ and with superb physio made a long recovery. Took three years to get back full ROM.


Now shoulder is beginning to give beginnings of further problems. No, I never did get back my full life.


BEST hospital for shoulder surgery in the UK is the Wrightington Hospital, Wigan. Superb surgeons who KNOW their stuff. IF I ever needed shoulder surgery again (hope NEVER) then it would be the Wrightington or there are three very good shoulder surgeons in France, based in: Annecy; Lyon; Nice.


And no, I would not go back to Notts. The SAD/ACJ was OK, but sustained an infection in the shoulder...! At the same time had elbow surgery to remove a massive osteophyte: OK procedure, open. Surgeon left behind bone debris which still bothers me to this day. (This from Jan 07 to now, July 2010 - and still counting! *Very angry).)


Will reiterate. For the UK the Wrightington (excellent line up of dedicated shoulder surgeons) or, Ofer Levy FRCS at Reading. Levy is one superb shoulder surgeon.


Hope this helps someone.

I have the same problem sharpe stabbing pain, like you involuntary screaming as it happens. Did you find a solution to the problem???

Hi Gary - The pain eventually settled down but only 'after'[ the SAD/ACJ. Have full range of movement, but a stitch neuroma (from first op) still bothers me. But not letting anyone touch that shoulder again. All the NSAIDs and pain killers wrecked my stomach - leading to other problems. IF I could go back would never have agreed to that first op, especially as the replacement was unnecessary : all that was needed was the SAD/ACJ
MEC (France)

What is sad/acj???? I only had surgery 4 months ago and had a reverses shoulder anthoplasty

SAD - sub acromium decompression

ACJ - Acromium clavicula joint

They decompress by removal of a piece of bone and then remove the end of the clavicular bone and presto, no more impingement.  Which is ALL that was wrong with my shoulder!  Take home message:  always get a second opinion, unless seeing a top class surgeon - and there are very few of those around.

I had a TSR on 11/12/2012. This was do to the tremendous pain that I was having for the last 7yrs. I put this off for several years because of my age(52). I had a motorcycle accident 3/12/05 which was the culprit to all my problems. Screws and plates to put my scapula back together. Through time I began to get bone spurs(a lot) and ROM was terrible. I have had fantastic results from my TSR in regards to stopping the pain but my issue is ROM. I am doing well with motion down low but above my head is another story. Because of my previous surgery and the removal of some of the Hardware(had to leave some screws in because the heads broke off) and repairing scar tissue as well I was not able to start therapy for 6 weeks. Hoping to get more ROM above my head but I'm having doubts at this point. I would do this again without question to relieve the pain and hard work is going to be key to ROM

Good physio therapy with a 'shoulder' ***specialist therapist. And...time. I took a yeasr. Now now problems. Arm above, behind, can carry, wheel a barrow etc etc. BUT I did a heck of a lot of work to get to this point. ANd again, am always aware not to push that shoulder. Use with care and it will last you.

First step - that physio.
Go well - take care

I'm 60 yr old female who had total lft shoulder replacement in Feb. Had lft total knee replacement in 1996 at age 43, right total knee replacement in 2000 at age 47 and left knee replacement revision in 2009 at age 56. I'll have my right total shoulder replacement done the end of this year. Has any of it been easy ?  NO but for the most part it has been worth it. The only problem seems to be an allergy to the replacement parts. I am allergic to nickel which is in just about all metal and also to formaldehyde which is in all plastics. I have a recurring rash around my replacements that I fight constantly. The most worrisome is the left shoulder I just had done 3 weeks ago. The entire incision is broken out in a rash and itches. Although it is listed in my history that I have these allergies, I don't know if there is no other choice for joint components or if I just wasn't vocal enough about the problem. If so, shame on me !

Shame on you I'm afraid. There are other metals used that are not causing allergies. Surgeons have to be advised of ALL metal allergies. I also am hyper allergic to base metals. Touch my skin and am out in a rash. My replacement is hypoallergenic, titanium. I have not thrown a wobbly to the replacement.

***Post is edited by moderator *** Web addresses not allowed***Please read our Terms of Use

4 Oct 2010 ... Some patients have a known sensitivity or allergy to metal, others want to ... settings, including fracture repair and joint replacement surgery.

You had better get back to yr surgeon pdq and be vocal this time round. NOT their fault, excepting that they seem not to have chosen to listen to/nor hear you. You can't leave the situation like this - highly dangerous. The more base metal you have in your body the worse will be the reactions... Get an *immediate appointment.

Dear Lord. Summat so important as this, and it gets fudged. Sigh.

Get back to yr surgeon pdq. He MUST be advised of this problem. The more base metal you have in yr body the worse the problem will become. Afraid you were not vocal enough... Pleae get an urgent appoiintment with yr surgeon and this time be real vocal !

My replacement is of titanium - I have had no problems with it so far. 7 yrs now.

I have to laugh.... not funny but.... above was my post from 2 ago. I had the surgery as scheduled and two years later, the pain is still horrible and my ROM is just as bad as before my surgery. I spent months in PT, then had more suregery and more months ofd pt. Surgeon now says he can go back in and try to free it up some more or I can jus live with the pain and stiffness! He said if he goes back in he is afraid of nerve damage! I am going to call the Shoulder Center in Carmel, Indiana, maybe it would be worth it to travel and see if they have a solution for me.