I have has 4 shoulder surgeries in the past few years. 2 for supraspinatus tendon, 1 for bone spurs, 1 for supraspinatus tendon/part collar bone removal. I was also told I have had arthritus in the left shoulder as well since about 2007. I am still having problems with the shoulder with pain, limited mobility, weakness, and still popping. I have tried physical therapy numerous times and it really hasn't helped. I was wondering if it could be the arthritus and If I need to see someone who specilaizes in shoulder replacement? If so has anyone had this done and can tell me why they had it done and what it is like during and after recovery?
Definitely see a shoulder specialist, no one else! You didn't mention your age. People do have them at any age, but since replacements are not guaranteed to last forever, the older you are before having it done, the better.
I had one done 2 months ago. I also had 4 previous surgeries but my problem was caused by trauma. The injury caused complete tears of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and there was a compression fracture of the humeral head. The 4th surgery was a humeral head resurfacing - a hemiarthroplasty without a stem, just a "cap" over the humeral head where the defect was located. This was malpositioned, so it caused arthritis of the glenoid and displacement of the joint.
Anyway, a replacement is usually only done for arthritis (lack of cartilage). You need an intact rotator cuff for a conventional replacement.
Most people do very well with the replacement. I am still struggling quite a bit since it was a revision surgery and the shoulder was a major mess overall. Your life style may have to change, depending on what you do for work and recreation. In general, the pain is not much worse than a rotator cuff repair and the recovery can be quicker.
I am 34 to help answer that. lol. I have a good rotator cuff I was told. I have had two shoulder surgeries for supraspinatus tears, but have a feeling it is arthritis causing the problem now cause that's all they can find from the MRI. I'm just tired of all the problems with the shoulders being this young.
See a shoulder expert. 34 is awfully young for a replacement. I am 56 and the surgeon who did mine (he is one of the best and specializes in failed and complex surgeries) said not only am *I* young for a replacement, but I'd be back - probably sooner rather than later. It is a downhill spiral, a road you don't want to take.
that's weird, because now they are doing knee surgeries for people in there 40's and are saying the last around 20 years or so. I thought shoulder replacement would at least last 20 years as well.
They can last - I've heard more like 10-15. The difference between knees and shoulders is that the glenoid component is plastic, while the knee is metal both sides. The humeral head/stem part are good, while the socket part tends to wear out quicker particularly in young people who put a lot more stress on it. My surgeon just said a couple weeks ago that I'd be back to have the glenoid side replaced.
You might was to read this:
http://www.cartilagedoc.org/downloads/shoulder/alternatives_to_shoulder_replacement.pdf
Last edited by galalena; 07-21-2012 at 05:25 AM.
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