It seems to me I heard somewhere that Tin Lizzie wrote in article
<h7CdnYJxq5YXOynanZ2dnUVZ_qOknZ2d@golden.net>:

Hi, Lorrie

My wife had a right shoulder replacement several years ago (maybe ten or
twelve), so techniques and spare parts may be better now.

She had lost most of her right shoulder movement; AFAIK it was a total
replacement, which was a huge improvement.  AFAIR the term "reverse"
never came up, so I'm assuming her repair was not that kind.  The joint
pain ended almost immediately, and surgical and PT pain went away
promptly, the PT lingering a little longer.  My guess would be that she
regained at least 85% to 90% of her original movement, and hasn't had
any problems due to the surgery since.  She did take a hard fall
recently that hurt the arm and shoulder, but the repair itself was not
damaged--she sustained only soft tissue injuries which have nearly
healed and her movement is getting back to her normal level.

Probably some of the other group members will  be along with more
current and detailed information for you.

hey, sweetie!  is your orthopaedist a shoulder specialist or a general
orthopaedic surgeon?

if he's a general ortho surgeon, then i suggest finding a shoulder
specialist, one who does exclusively shoulder surgergies, even if you have
to drive a bit of a distance to find one.  shoulders are one of those joints
that are surgically very tricky to get right.  this type of operation is not
as common as the ones done for knees and hips.  you'll likely have better
results and will be in better hands with a shoulder specialist.  if your
ortho surgeon is indeed a shoulder specialist, what does he reccommend for
you?

a close personal friend, had a total shoulder replacement.  i suggested she
get a shoulder specialist (because of what i'd read about atheletes and
shoulder surgeries) and she did.  she's delighted with the results.  her tsr
was supposed to only last 4-5 years, with revision needed.  so far, she's in
her 5th year with it and she's still doing great and her last xrays even
looked great last december.   unfortunately, my elder sister didn't use a
shoulder specialist (i understood her reluctance to hear my suggestion--i'm
her kid sister afterall and not perfect.) and she had to undergo more
surgery, within two years, just a couple weeks ago.

both my girlfriend and my sister have similar jobs (sit in front of a
computer all day).  but i know that my sister didn't abuse her shoulder
after surgery and is  fairly fit.  i also know that my girlfriend kinda did
abuse it when she helped carry a bunch of major pieces of furniture, like a
very heavy full sized sofa, up two flights of stairs, a guy and her alone,
last year.  (she also snorkles all over the warm-watered world, for two
weeks each year, though i'm not sure how much shoulder stress is involved
with that.)  so, it does appear that expertise is everything in good
surgerical result. or maybe it's just luck?--though somehow, i think i doubt
it's luck.

kate

Help, I went to the orthopedic surgeon yesterday.  I've had a lot of pain
and lack of motion in my right shoulder(dominent hand).  My medical doctor
did tests i.e. Xray and ultra sound studies.  These showed osteoarthritis in
both shoulder joints and also great damage to the rotator cuff. total
separation in a couple of places.  The ortho sys that I need a replacement
and mentioned two kinds(the normal replacement won't work because of the
extensive rotator damage).  The two types he mentioned were a partial
replacement or a reverse total replacement.  I went on the browser and did
some work there and would like to know if anyone has had a shoulder
replacement and what are their experiences. The partial one is just a
possibility as he wants to do a scan to get a closer view of the condition
of the socket.  He says I will not get as free a range of motion with either
of them.  The partial is not extensive a surgery as the reverse one.  I will
have more pain with the partial one as compared to the reverse.  The reverse
has only 70% succes rate.
My thinking is maybe the partial will need to be replaced sooner because of
the amount of wear and tear on the original parts.  I rather favour the
reverse one but apparently it is not revisable.  Thats my problem ,advise
needed
Sincerely
Lorrie F

Hi,
I've had both my shoulders replaced due to RA.  I have a massive rotator
cuff tear in the left shoulder and 2 less severe tears in the right .  The
right was done in 2001 and is still going strong.  It was the traditional
replacement, though it was only a hemi arthroplasty where the socket was not
replaced.  There just wasn't enough bone stock.  I can raise that arm to
about 90 degrees..but the glenoid humereal joint is pain free.  I still have
arthritis in the AC joint and some lingering pain from the cuff tears but it
is relatively minor.  The left was a resurfacing with a Copeland
implant..again only the humeral head was replaced...I have more than 90
degree movement and no pain.  I've also had both elbows and the left wrist
replaced.

The reverse has been done in Europe for several years and only in the last
couple of years has  it come to the states.  It is not recommended for long
term use or in younger patients.  At least one study recommended use of the
reverse prosthesis be restricted to patients over 70.    Your cuff tear MUST
be irreparable ( you didn't mention any precious attempts to repair the
cuff)  I know of one person who has had a reverse after multiple traditional
prosthesis failures and repeated tears of the cuff.  The pain is better and
the arms are more stable but she is still having problems.  I asked my
shoulder surgeon about them and he said he felt the reverse prosthesis was
not good enough yet for most patients.

My recommendations 1) get a second opinion  2) ask to see studies on the
reverse procedures..pay especial attention to the previous medical histories
and ages of the study participants

Personally, I would lean toward the traditional replacements.  Most studies
show that not replacing the socket really doesn't cause an issue.  I believe
that a stable functional pain free replacement is better than a riskier one
that MIGHT provide a bit more movement but not add any stability.   Also the
inability to revise the reverse is not a good option/  It means if it fails
you end up with a fused, totally useless shoulder.  Its always better to
give yourself options if you have that ability

Feel free to ask me any specific questions
Karen