The reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (see this link).
A recent article identified questions asked by patients with arthritis:
What Patients Want to Know about Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Google Search Analysis
These authors analyzed Google search queries to determine the most frequently asked topics and questions related to shoulder arthroplasty.
The most popular question topics concerned the timeline of recovery, ability to perform specific activities, technical details of surgery, and activity restrictions. Frequently asked questions had to do with the fastest means of recovery, duration of physical therapy, sling use, time spent sleeping upright in a recliner, time off work, location of surgical incision, resumption of sports, and the ability to use the bathroom.
So how might theses questions be answered? Below are our best general answers to these frequently asked questions, recognizing that the specific answers for each patient will vary for each patient depending on their specific problem, procedure, and surgeon. Patients should discuss these and other questions with their surgeon when considering shoulder joint replacement. The details and post operative course for a reverse total shoulder (see this link) are often different from that after an anatomic total shoulder (see this link) or ream and run procedure (see this link).
I. Activities
A. Can you play sports after shoulder replacement?
*Many sports, such as golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, and rowing are well tolerated in most cases. For patients having total shoulder arthroplasty, we advise against heavy impact (wood chopping, boxing) and heavy load (bench press with heavy weights). These restrictions may not apply to patients having the ream and run procedure.
B. How do you go to the bathroom after shoulder surgery?
*Often the ability of the arm having surgery to reach behind for wiping is limited for 6 weeks or so. Alternatives are wiping with the other hand or reaching from the front. Practicing this before surgery is a good idea.
II. Timeline of Recovery
A. How long does it take to recover from a shoulder
replacement?
*For most anatomic shoulder joint replacements (anatomic total shoulder, ream and run), the focus for the first six weeks is on flexibility. Gentle strengthening exercises are started at 6 weeks and progressed slowly to allow the muscles the opportunity for a safe recovery. Shoulders continue to recover over the first year or so after surgery.
B. How long should you take off work after shoulder surgery?
*The answer to this question depends a lot on the type of work. We encourage return to office work at six weeks. Driving is discouraged until six weeks after surgery. Work requiring lifting, pulling and pushing is not resumed until the shoulder is comfortable and strong. The duration of this recovery may range from months to a year or more, depending on the type of replacement and the rehabilitation effort.
C. How long should you sleep in a recliner after shoulder surgery?
*Some patients do indeed find that it is more comfortable to sleep in a recliner, while others are able to sleep comfortably in their bed. Patients starting out in a recliner can transition to a bed when it is comfortable for them.
D. How long is physical therapy (PT) after shoulder replacement?
*Formal PT is an option after shoulder replacement. In our practice, an experienced therapist teaches the basic exercises to the patient prior to discharge from the hospital. In many cases, the patient does their own rehabilitation as long as it is progressing well (see sample rehabilitation programs in this link and this link. In other cases the surgeon or the patient may prefer "hands on" PT for a month or so after surgery.
E. What is the fastest way to recover from shoulder surgery?
*We have found that the fastest way to recover is to divide rehabilitation into two phases: the first 6 weeks being dedicated to flexibility followed by a progressive strengthening and activity program. Avoiding injury to the repaired tendons is very important as stressed in this link.
III. Restrictions
A. What are the limitations after shoulder replacement? What can you not do after shoulder surgery?
*The first six weeks are the most critical. During this time the goal is developing an excellent range of motion while protecting the tendon repairs. Patients need to take every precaution to avoid falling, rotation out to the side, and lifting the arm by itself during this period. We discourage driving for the first six weeks. After the first six weeks these restrictions are lifted progressively as the shoulder gets stronger. For anatomic total shoulders and reverse total shoulders, patients are encouraged to avoid heavy lifting and activities involving impact.
B. Can you wear a bra after shoulder surgery?
*Wearing a bra is usually well tolerated after a few weeks when the incision is healed. However, fastening the bra behind can be an issue, especially for the first month or so after surgery. Front fastening bras may be more convenient.
C. Why do you have to sleep in a recliner after shoulder surgery?
*We do not require patients to sleep in a recliner after shoulder replacement. Some patients do indeed find that it is more comfortable to sleep in a recliner, while others are able to sleep comfortably in their bed. Patients starting out in a recliner can transition to a bed when it is comfortable for them.
D. Can you lay flat after shoulder surgery?
*Laying flat is no problem as long as it is comfortable.
E. Can I take my sling off to sleep?
*A sling can be used to keep the arm from getting into positions that may challenge the healing of the tendons. If the patient is a quiet sleeper, a sling may not be necessary. It is important to avoid rotating the arm further outward that the hand shake position. Excessive and early external rotation can jeopardize the healing of the subscapularis tendon.
IV. Technical Details
A. Can I have an MRI after shoulder replacement?
*An MRI of the shoulder after a shoulder joint replacement can be difficult to interpret because of the artifact from the metal. MRIs of other parts of the body are not generally a problem, but it is important to notify the MRI technologist of the presence of a joint replacement.
B. Where is the incision for shoulder replacement?
*The typical incision for shoulder replacement is on the front of the shoulder along a line from the middle of the collar bone to the middle of the arm.
V. Indications/Management
A, How can I avoid shoulder surgery?
*Shoulder joint replacement surgery is an elective procedure. It should only be undertaken if shoulder arthritis is interfering substantially with the patient's quality of life and if the patient clearly understands the risks of surgery and the alternatives. A full discussion, including the non-operative management of shoulder arthritis can be found in this link.
B. Can you wait too long for shoulder replacement surgery?
*Arthritic wear of the shoulder can be progressive. If patients elect non-operative management, we monitor their x-rays on an annual basis to make sure the wear does not advance to a state where joint replacement would be difficult.
C. Are there alternatives to shoulder surgery?
*Alternatives to joint replacement surgery are discussed at this link.
D. What is the average age for a shoulder replacement?
*Shoulder joint replacement can be considered for treating arthritis in individuals of any age. An average age is about 65 years.
E. What happens if you don't wear your sling after shoulder
*The sling is used to protect the healing of tendons after the surgery. It also signals to folks around the patient that the shoulder is healing. Not wearing the sling may increase the risk of tendon injury or non healing.
F. Can you ice too much after shoulder surgery?
*Too much ice can burn the skin over the shoulder.
VI. Risks and Complications
A. Why is shoulder surgery so painful? How painful is total shoulder replacement?
*Done properly, shoulder joint replacement is usually not more painful than other major procedures. Experienced surgeons are becoming better at setting exceptions regarding post operative pain and in implementing a program for minimizing postoperative pain. Many of our patients only require Tylenol or other light analgesics after shoulder replacement.
VII. Longevity
A. How long does a titanium shoulder replacement last?
*A rough estimate is that after 10 years, one out of ten shoulder replacements may require a revision procedure. Causes of failure can include poor surgical technique, failure of the rotator cuff, failure of the subscapularis, loosening of the glenoid component, stiffness and instability.
VIII. Evaluation of Surgery
A. What is the success rate of shoulder replacement surgery?
*For osteoarthritis, over 90% of patients having shoulder joint replacement surgery by an experienced surgeon are satisfied with the outcome.
B. Which is worse knee or shoulder replacement?
*On average, patients having shoulder joint replacement appear to have less pain than those having knee replacement.
Follow on twitter: https://twitter.com/shoulderarth
Follow on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frederick.matsen
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-matsen-88b1a8133/
How you can support research in shoulder surgery Click on this link.
Here are some videos that are of shoulder interest
