Reverse shoulder operation

NRALIFR wrote:
Gary, I understand how you feel about the reverse shoulder surgery. It sounds extreme to me as well, which is why I haven’t gone that route yet. My doc also feels I should hold off as long as possible, because there’s the possibility that if it’s done too soon you could actually wear out the new parts and need a second replacement 15 or so years down the road.

There are four rotator cuff muscles, and it’s not uncommon at all for someone (males especially) to tear or totally separate the two smallest ones by the time you’re in your mid-forties. That’s what I did in both shoulders, and just thought it was normal “getting old” aches and pains. Then moving some heavy equipment I started tearing my right deltoid away from its attachment point at the shoulder. That didn’t hurt too much until the muscle started ripping down the middle, and I lost use of my upper arm.

During surgery to fix the tear, the doc also found that the bicep long-head tendon was damaged to the point where it had to be cut loose and not reattached (bicep tenotomy vs. tenodesis where it’s reattached to the upper arm bone), so my right bicep looks funny now. My upper arm was immobile long enough that all the arm and shoulder muscles associated with it atrophied. Getting them working again took several months, and the 24x7 pain didn’t stop for almost two years.

Today like I said, I have 90-95% range of motion, maybe only about half of the upper arm and shoulder strength, and similarly diminished endurance with that arm. Working above shoulder height is difficult, but I can do it if it’s for a short duration. It’s not pain free, but it’s manageable without Rx drugs, and thank goodness it’s no longer 24x7.

So, you CAN live without some of your rotator cuff muscles, half your bicep disconnected, and a repaired deltoid. But I would never advise anyone which way to go on this. The wisest thing to do would probably be to get a second and maybe even a third opinion. Your age will likely play a big part in what you decide.

:):)

Thanks for sharing your experience Kevin. I am 73 but fairly active. I can live with the pain I have had knee arthritis since 52 and was very painful at first, and now no longer notice it except from getting off of a chair. I guess you get used to the pain. What I worry about is further tearing out my bicep mussel or doing some other damage. I know what you mean about rehab it took me 1&1/2 years to rehab each rotator cuff repair.