2 months with new shoulder
 

Tomorrow, 9/24, marks 2 months since having a full reverse shoulder procedure, right side. At this point, the shoulder is doing quite well, good range of motion and low pain level, including the general soreness. I have had a couple set backs while recuperating, but it now feels like I am on the path to total recovery. The arm and shoulder are weak, but I am getting strength back, slowly.

All in all, I am quite pleased with the care I have received, and where I am in the healing process.

I had the rotator cuff surgically repaired October 2nd, 2024, but it failed this past March. The injury was from a bike crash, and it had been repaired previously in 2011.

I have riding for the past 2 weeks, but slow and easy with limited miles, longest was 6 miles. My legs and lungs are feeling the down time, but it sure is great to be pedaling again, smiling the whole way.
I will permanently have a bit less mobility and loss of some strength, especially with any action going above the head. I believe the worst mobility loss will be going behind the back with the right arm.
PT has been kicked up to use light weights except for reaching above my head. I do them empty handed, by the fifth rep, it is a struggle. Going to take some time and effort to get to where I want to be.

Congrats on your recovery so far. I had a rotator cuff repair in late May and have finally been riding this last week. Like you, I have a hard time moving my arm behind my back, but bit by bit it is getting more fluid. I also seem to be regaining strength pretty quickly. So I hope you'll experience the same.

Glad you’re feeling better. I’ve had lots of surgeries— back x2, foot, hip replacement, knee replacement, and among them is rotator cuff surgery. Absolutely the worst to recover from.

Dan

I had a shoulder replaced in 2016 from the front. My strength and range of motion aren't what they might have been pre-arthritis, but range and strength are a LOT better than just before the surgery. Best of luck with your recovery.

Good to hear you're riding, if only a little for now. Best o'luck with a speedy recovery. The miles will come, just not right away.

To explain: Reverse shoulder replacement is done from the front. I had an incision about 8 inches long, now well healed, from just below where the collar bone connects, down to the inside of the right arm at the bottom of the joint.
The prosthesis is installed with ball and socket reversed, ball attached to the humerus of the arm, the socket attached to the inside if the joint.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce9ab7fa91.jpg

My rotator cuff repaired failed and could not be done again. It is basically left unattached with the the deltoid being lengthened to to be the main support. Generally, there is a permanent loss of some mobility and strength. Particularly going over head and to the rear with the arm.
At this point, most of the pain is gone, mobility is good, the shouler and arm are quite weak. That is going to take time and effort to get back.

I am sorry you are having issues since a *reverse* is usually an easier procedure for healing. --
**AI Overview
Recovery from a reverse shoulder replacement is generally faster than from a traditional anatomic shoulder replacement because it does not require the rotator cuff to heal, which is a significant advantage in the early stages of recovery. While the reverse procedure allows for a quicker return to basic functions like feeding oneself and may involve less use of a sling, patients can still expect the full recovery process, including physical therapy and building strength, to take several months to a year. **

BUT your previous shoulder issues have likely made a huge impact on your recovery and as I have written in 2016 as a 66yo I had a *traditional right shoulder replacement* on a Monday and I was back on a bike on Thursday.

Follow Doctor and PT instructions and accept the time it will take to totally recover. Good Luck.

[QUOTE=delbiker1;23614490]To explain: Reverse shoulder replacement is done from the front. I had an incision about 8 inches long, now well healed, from just below where the collar bone connects, down to the inside of the right arm at the bottom of the joint.
The prosthesis is installed with ball and socket reversed, ball attached to the humerus of the arm, the socket attached to the inside if the joint.

Actually the reverse arthroplasty has the ball attached to the inside of the joint and the socket attached to the humerus.
Reverse shoulder replacement - Wikipedia

I had a rotator cuff and accoutrements injury that took 4 hours of surgery, 6 anchors and 15 months of PT to return to normal. I'm familiar with the pain but now have full range of motion and strength. Follow the Doc and PT instructions and you’ll be good to go. Takes time.