Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
What questions do you wish you had asked your doctor before having the operation?
What weight limits will be suggested.
Are you happy with the results of this procedure?
99% Happy! I struggled for 2 yrs with my shoulder and finally gave in. I didn't want foreign material in my body! Oh my! That was such a huge mistake. I went almost 2 yrs in agony, not sleeping, irritable. Less than 1 week after the surgery, the pain was mostly gone, I was finally able to... (more)
What was your recovery like?
I was amazed at the process and how painless it was compared to the agony I lived with for 2 yrs. My PT lady was so awesome, she became a lifelong friend. I was back to work in 6 months and got stronger .... slowly, but surely. Within 1 yr I felt like I was about 95% pain free & 75%... (more)
What did you try before electing to have surgery?
For 2 yrs without being able to raise my arm, all I could do was take pain meds and struggle and feel like crap. I finally gave in and had to have the surgery.
About
A reverse total shoulder replacement may be considered in patients suffering severe joint arthritis with irrepairable rotator cuff tears or patients with a deficient rotator cuff suffering superior migration of the humeral head. Another consideration for a reverse total shoulder replacement may include malunion of a proximal humeral fracture or an irrepairable proximal humeral fracture.
The prosthesis used in a reverse total shoulder replacement is similar to a total shoulder replacement, however the prosthesis is reversed. Instead of the ball on the end of your humerus a socket is placed and instead of the socket on your shoulder blade (glenoid) a ball, or glenosphere, is placed. Hence the socket and the ball are reversed.