Shoulder Replacement?

Theoldguy1

So a week ago woke up with shoulder pain. Could barely move my arm. Was hoping I just slept on it weird and would resolve. Couple days ago I gave in and went to orthopedic specialist. When he examined me for pain free movement and strength he gave me the "oh *kitten*" look (I told him it's good he's a well respected surgeon and not on the professional poker tour), thinking my rotator cuff was fried. He ordered an MRI and went back the next day for the results. He said good news and bad news, rotator cuff not bad, some minor tearing but not the issue. Bad news from report "Severe, end stage glenohumeral degenerative joint disease. Bulky osteophyte development, Diffuse high grade chondral loss. Mulitfocal labral degeneration and/or tear." Basically no cartilage left in joint. He ordered a cortisone shot and is setting me up for PT. with a return visit in 6 weeks. Looking up "severe end state degenerative joint disease" , I got a lot of hits for knee replacement. The cortisone shot is giving me a bit of pain relief this morning, I was actually able to use my right hand to wash my hair, but I know this isn't a fix. I was wishing he would just say go to his admin and set up surgery, but I'm pretty sure the protocol says you have to screw around with the cortisone. Any experience with this? Picture showing right arm range of motion before shot with tolerable pain.

swirlybee

Include the word "shoulder" in your search and you should see more relevant results.

I have arthritis in the the AC joint. Cortisone shot didn't help at all for me. Range of motion may be improved a little bit. I think I can lift my hand about as high as in your picture. I can may be lift it higher but I'm lifting my whole shoulder up to compensate. It doesn't hurt when I'm not moving or moving in certain directions, but when it's past a certain point or any sudden movements, the pain is excruciating - anywhere from a 6 to a 9, but the pain always subsides within a few minutes.

My primary doctor referred me to an ortho surgeon but the surgeon won't see me unless I've gone through PT first so that's where I'm at now. Based on what I'm seeing, I think I'm going to be getting surgery - not a replacement but shaving off a portion of the collarbone. We'll see what the next couple of months will bring.

sammidelvecchio

I had a full shoulder replacement and bone shave. I had a torn rotator cuff @ 80%, torn labrum, dead arm, and torn biceps tendon. *collegiate athlete life* I was put on prednisone and several cortisone shots to get me through my senior season, but you're right - it's not a fix. I would keep doing the physical therapy because if you do decide to have a replacement you will want to go into it with as much strength as you possibly can. Recovery was rough, not going to lie. I even had a full team of trainers to help me. Sometimes I wondered if it was worth it, and it didn't fix me 100%, but I have more mobility now (not full, but at least there isn't much pain). My best advice is to decide if the pain is limiting you from day to day or your favorite activities. If it starts to seriously hinder your life, I recommend surgery, but to know it will be a very painful recovery and starting PT within a few days of surgery is what will set you up for success. This is at least based on my experience. Good luck!

Chieflrg

I have a progressive joint deterioration from autoimmune disease.

I had chemo treatments for cancer for nearly a year and that helped ALOT! I felt young again.

After treatments were over the disease came back full force and being a athlete my whole life, I was pressing for amputation of one foot a couple years ago so I could have a better quality life and be able to walk and train.

I had quite a few cortisone shots to many joints of my body which a couple took decently others not so much. The final shot before surgery did take on my foot which surprised me.

The one thing that helped me the most was disobeying doctor's orders and returning to strength training. More specifically power lifting style.

My shoulder pain I felt all these years is no longer noticeable and I can hold drinking cups without dropping them. A great benefit of strength training.

In fact I'm currently rank #1 in the USA in one weight class for my age group in the USAPL.

I encourage you to seek experienced trainers that can help you improve your quality of life.

Good luck.

L1zardQueen

I’m a candidate for shoulder replacement (bone on bone) but I was told at the time that I was too young(55). 4 years later, I am not sure if I want the shoulder to be replaced. I have had lots of PT and many cortisone shots over the years, and my range of motion is much improved. I couldn’t wash my hair either and drove with one arm. But the pain has finally decreased. It is tolerable now. Unfortunately, I can’t throw a ball anymore, nor golf and I swim one armed. I hope you find answer. It is awful being in constant pain.

Theoldguy1

swirlybee wrote: »

Include the word "shoulder" in your search and you should see more relevant results.

I have arthritis in the the AC joint. Cortisone shot didn't help at all for me. Range of motion may be improved a little bit. I think I can lift my hand about as high as in your picture. I can may be lift it higher but I'm lifting my whole shoulder up to compensate. It doesn't hurt when I'm not moving or moving in certain directions, but when it's past a certain point or any sudden movements, the pain is excruciating - anywhere from a 6 to a 9, but the pain always subsides within a few minutes.

My primary doctor referred me to an ortho surgeon but the surgeon won't see me unless I've gone through PT first so that's where I'm at now. Based on what I'm seeing, I think I'm going to be getting surgery - not a replacement but shaving off a portion of the collarbone. We'll see what the next couple of months will bring.

I had the AC joint surgery about 9 years ago. Really helped. Only bad thing was when the doctor was in there he said I had very little cartridge. Coming back at me know.

Best of luck

Theoldguy1

sammidelvecchio wrote: »

I had a full shoulder replacement and bone shave. I had a torn rotator cuff @ 80%, torn labrum, dead arm, and torn biceps tendon. *collegiate athlete life* I was put on prednisone and several cortisone shots to get me through my senior season, but you're right - it's not a fix. I would keep doing the physical therapy because if you do decide to have a replacement you will want to go into it with as much strength as you possibly can. Recovery was rough, not going to lie. I even had a full team of trainers to help me. Sometimes I wondered if it was worth it, and it didn't fix me 100%, but I have more mobility now (not full, but at least there isn't much pain). My best advice is to decide if the pain is limiting you from day to day or your favorite activities. If it starts to seriously hinder your life, I recommend surgery, but to know it will be a very painful recovery and starting PT within a few days of surgery is what will set you up for success. This is at least based on my experience. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing. I've had rotator cuff, AC joint, labrum and biceps tendon work so know where you're coming from. I have a great PT I've worked with at my doctor's practice and have signed up with him again. Ex-D1 catcher, about 35, still catches in a wood bat league, Really understands shoulders and how to push you.

On all my prior surgeries I was at PT within 2 days of the operation.

Theoldguy1

Chieflrg wrote: »

I have a progressive joint deterioration from autoimmune disease.

I had chemo treatments for cancer for nearly a year and that helped ALOT! I felt young again.

After treatments were over the disease came back full force and being a athlete my whole life, I was pressing for amputation of one foot a couple years ago so I could have a better quality life and be able to walk and train.

I had quite a few cortisone shots to many joints of my body which a couple took decently others not so much. The final shot before surgery did take on my foot which surprised me.

The one thing that helped me the most was disobeying doctor's orders and returning to strength training. More specifically power lifting style.

My shoulder pain I felt all these years is no longer noticeable and I can hold drinking cups without dropping them. A great benefit of strength training.

In fact I'm currently rank #1 in the USA in one weight class for my age group in the USAPL.

I encourage you to seek experienced trainers that can help you improve your quality of life.

Good luck.

That's rough. Congrats on your achievements.

I was lifting up until about 8 hours before the shoulder woke me up. We are going on vacation for a week and I had planned to take a week break from lifting.

First Monday back have an evaluation appointment with a physical therapist and going to find out what I can do without being stupid.

Theoldguy1

L1zardQueen wrote: »

I’m a candidate for shoulder replacement (bone on bone) but I was told at the time that I was too young(55). 4 years later, I am not sure if I want the shoulder to be replaced. I have had lots of PT and many cortisone shots over the years, and my range of motion is much improved. I couldn’t wash my hair either and drove with one arm. But the pain has finally decreased. It is tolerable now. Unfortunately, I can’t throw a ball anymore, nor golf and I swim one armed. I hope you find answer. It is awful being in constant pain.

I'm a bit older, just turned 63. I talked to the doctor when we thought it was rotator cuff tear about shoulder resurfacing since I had indications of cartridge loss about 8-9 years ago. I liked the resurfacing method, sound like it's pretty easy in case there would have to be a redo as opposed to full replacement. Seems like the resurfacing gets really good results.

Hope you stay out of pain.

billkansas

Chieflrg wrote: »

I have a progressive joint deterioration from autoimmune disease.

I had chemo treatments for cancer for nearly a year and that helped ALOT! I felt young again.

After treatments were over the disease came back full force and being a athlete my whole life, I was pressing for amputation of one foot a couple years ago so I could have a better quality life and be able to walk and train.

I had quite a few cortisone shots to many joints of my body which a couple took decently others not so much. The final shot before surgery did take on my foot which surprised me.

The one thing that helped me the most was disobeying doctor's orders and returning to strength training. More specifically power lifting style.

My shoulder pain I felt all these years is no longer noticeable and I can hold drinking cups without dropping them. A great benefit of strength training.

In fact I'm currently rank #1 in the USA in one weight class for my age group in the USAPL.

I encourage you to seek experienced trainers that can help you improve your quality of life.

Good luck.

Chieflrg, Barbell Medicine needs to bring you in along on their seminars because there would be a lot of people who would want to hear what you have to say.

jdog022

swirlybee wrote: »

Include the word "shoulder" in your search and you should see more relevant results.

I have arthritis in the the AC joint. Cortisone shot didn't help at all for me. Range of motion may be improved a little bit. I think I can lift my hand about as high as in your picture. I can may be lift it higher but I'm lifting my whole shoulder up to compensate. It doesn't hurt when I'm not moving or moving in certain directions, but when it's past a certain point or any sudden movements, the pain is excruciating - anywhere from a 6 to a 9, but the pain always subsides within a few minutes.

My primary doctor referred me to an ortho surgeon but the surgeon won't see me unless I've gone through PT first so that's where I'm at now. Based on what I'm seeing, I think I'm going to be getting surgery - not a replacement but shaving off a portion of the collarbone. We'll see what the next couple of months will bring.

Same for me. Will be having the Mumford procedure just not sure when yet. Cortisone shot is wearing off after about 8 weeks. Haven’t worked out my chest or shoulders since November 😢. I was semi hopeful I could recover without it but it’s not looking good