Shoulder....Venting

[Catrin]

I saw my Ortho yesterday to discuss another cortisone injection in my torn shoulder (I decided to put that off awhile longer as it's a balance between pain relief and risking damage to the non-arthritic shoulder joint ), and I asked if my understanding on shoulder replacement was correct. It was...he said that while my other shoulder certainly has enough arthritic changes to justify a full replacement, I am too young and too active to even consider. Apparently there is some return of function, but not much. Basically meant for pain relief and to stop further loss of function.

With my previous assumptions I thought it would be helpful to post what I learned in case there are others reading this with the same situation. I know this site has far more readers than formal members and posters.

[Pax]

Catrin - so glad your doc was forthcoming! Wish more of them were about what is expected from these life altering surgeries.

[Catrin]

Catrin - so glad your doc was forthcoming! Wish more of them were about what is expected from these life altering surgeries.

Agreed - and I got a referral for someone else closer to me. When the time DOES come to fix the torn shoulder - and that time will come I think - I need someone who isn't 30 miles away.

What's interesting is that even most of the informational websites on full shoulder replacements refer to the same age/activity level issue (some in more detail than others). I think this is an even more complex replacement than either knee or hip - and as good as they've become at those things they still have much room for improvement.

[Catrin]

An update since my decision to finally address things in April. I found a great shoulder specialist who picked up immediately that I had a compressed nerve root in my cervical spine that needed addressed before there was any hope of a successful shoulder repair. The neck surgery happened in July, and the difference is amazing! Now I only have pain where it actually should be. The should repair is complex and will require a lengthy recovery period - but at the end I get my arm back and will hopefully be able to return to have a more normal range of activities. That surgery is scheduled for October 16th, and am working with friends to create a support team while I have use of only one arm (and the other isn't in good shape).

[Catrin]

16 days countdown before a complex shoulder recovery. As complicated as it is, the surgeon is warning me that it may be even more complex than we think. He IS one of the very good shoulder specialists in the area who has done a lot of work with female professional athletes, so what will be is what will be. I've some concern over the reality of living alone and having my dominant arm in an immobilizer for at least 6 weeks (and the other shoulder/hand isn't very mobile due to severe arthritis), but it's the only way to get my arm back and to prevent things from deteriorating even more than they have.

I AM looking forward to, hopefully, being able to once again be able to exercise properly (and other things) by this time next year!

[Catrin]

2 weeks before the shoulder immobilizer sling comes off, then life gets really interesting! I will HAVE to be patient to get through the 4+ months of PT if I've any hopes of getting my arm back & be able to really exercise again!

[ShawnDay]

You've been through a lot, Catrin. I really feel for you. How's the PT going? I hope well!