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+--- Thread: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) (/showthread.php?tid=204939)
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Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - Rick-o - 05-16-2017
My elderly Pop was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff awhile back. The orthopedic surgeon recommends replacement of the shoulder joint. They claim he will need a two day hospital stay, then 6 weeks in a permanent sling, coupled with physical therapy.
They also say he can't drive during the six week mending period, and I expect him to be limited in other activities as well.
It sounds like a lost summer for him. Is there anything to consider to make his recuperation less of a burden? I'm trying to think of how I'm going to get him up into my 4x4 pickup. He already has trouble getting in and out with his aging knees, and likely impossible with only one arm to pull him up. (Yes, I have step bars on the truck).
Any thoughts on how to handle his mobility? I installed a grab pole next to his favorite seat a few years ago to help him get up easier and he loves it. However, I don't think he'll be able to use it with only one arm. Maybe a lift chair? Anything else you might be able to recommend? Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, and if all goes well, I'll take him home on Friday.
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - davemchine - 05-16-2017
I used a lift chair after my back surgery and it was extremely helpful. My pride was hurt a bit but my back thanked me for it. I highly recommend it.
I once broke my arm and had a cast for six weeks. I learned it is very difficult to perform bathroom duties with one hand. Getting pants on and off can be a real challenge. It might be good to get him some elastic waist pants which would make that an easier job. Shoes can also be difficult. How about shoes with velcro or perhaps just slip on? You will probably want a pull bar next to the toilet and in the shower.
You mentioned a lost summer so I would suggest just getting him out of the house would be tremendously helpful. I know after my back surgery I felt very alone and very confined neither which is fun.
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - Buzz - 05-16-2017
Is there anything else going on w/ the shoulder? Like some nasty arthritis or other crud? I'd get a second (or third) opinion from a sports doc, as he may be able to get by w/ an arthroscopic repair, rather than a whole joint replacement. Find a doc whose yacht is paid off, and that doesn't have any ex-wives or high rent mistresses to cloud their suggestions.
Good luck.
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Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - mrbigstuff - 05-16-2017
Yeah, def get another opinion, sounds like that doc isn't taking his age and quality of life into consideration very much. He could probably benefit greatly from massage and good pt. Had that been done already?
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - lost in space - 05-16-2017
I was facing six weeks in a sling for a torn rotator cuff repair, with barely a 50/50 chance of success due to the severity of the tear and my age of 66 at the time. I have to use a cane on that arm to get around and have similar issues getting in and out of cars, so I would have been immobile for that six weeks. The surgeon said.I might get by just leaving the torn muscle to die (the supraspinatus) and getting PT to compensate. I did the PT, and two years on, am getting along fine, with about 10% loss of function, most noticeable when eating with chopsticks or using a power. screwdriver at eye level. It just feels weak in those positions. Recovery with the PT was miraculous, IMO, which built up other muscles to take over since the torn muscle is completely inoprative now. Surgeon said some joint degradation would be somewhat accelerated, and I'd have to keep up the exercises, but I'm happy with the outcome. YMMV, and good luck!
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - DP - 05-16-2017
Yes, get another opinion. My elderly Aunt fell and broke her arm at the shoulder a couple of years ago and much to my surprise, the doc said, let's just let it heal! She was in rehab and a sling for a while but her shoulder is good now. One option was a shoulder replacement which would be big money for the doc/hospital so I was shocked they gave her the recommendation of just letting it heal on it's own.
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - rgG - 05-16-2017
My husband had shoulder surgery a few years ago, not replacement but enough that he was in the sling for like 4-6 weeks. The suggestion about the elastic waistband pants is spot on. I think he lived in pull on/off pants for almost that whole time.
Velcro or slip on shoes are also a must. Hair washing will also be fun, so some dry shampoo for some days might be good.
Good luck to you and him. It can be a pain dealing with a long term sling situation.
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - MartyStickle - 05-16-2017
Having recently gone through 2 complete knee replacements, here's a couple of points. Getting on and off the toilet is a problem. I'd suggest a grab bar placed in front and on the correct side is a very good idea. As for dressing, the hospital sold me a kit containing all kinds of aids such as stick with a hook for pulling up pants, a tube device with ropes for putting socks on, and a long shoe horn for helping with shoes. The more independence in daily life your Dad can have the better for his self esteem.
The hospital had a short class for folks about to go through knee replacement and they went over all kinds of ways of dealing with rehab. Hopefully your Dad's hospital has a similar class.
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - cbelt3 - 05-16-2017
After spending a month and a half in a sling while my shattered humerus and ripped up shoulder healed:
Dressing and undressing is a pain. I wore loose T shirts and button up shirts that my lovely wife buttoned for me. Pants... oh yeah, sweat pants.Slip on shoes.. you betcha.
Oh.. and going to the bathroom ? Yeah, that's right. My lovely wife had to help me. Those grab bars ? Put some in.
And PT... don't skimp. I had to go through two full sets. The first set the PT people were all about not causing me pain and didn't let me push it. The next guy simply said "Ya want a bullet to bite on ? ". Loved him.
Oh, and you can point out my slightly weird sense of humor ... Stainless steel plates and screws are awesome.. when I die, I have scrap value !!!
Re: Shoulder Replacement Surgery - Anyone Have Experience With This? (Mobility Issues) - Speedy - 05-16-2017
"The orthopedic surgeon recommends" surgery. I'm shocked!