Shoulder replacement - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

Waynem · 05-22-2008, 05:35 PM

Hydrocordone!(sp) Only way to go.

**Rondo** · 05-22-2008, 06:32 PM

Dave there was a thread on shoulder replacements about 4-5 months ago, I think! Do a search on it and see what you come up with! Seems to me someone was going to have the same surgery and they asked the same thing and had numerous replies to it! I havae a bad right shoulder- had a comp related injury or as they called it disease back about 12 years ago or more. I now have tendenitis in that shoulder and the doctor told me I will eventually need it replaced. Holding off on it since the "doctors assistant" told me to hold off on it as long as possible since I will never have total or full movement in it again. I "play at" the game of golf and the assistant told me I would probably never be able to play it again if I went through the surgery. Now this is what I've been told and I have done some research on the subject via Googling and other search engines and they all seem to say the same thing about the replacement-- to hold off as long as possible because of the loss of total movement or rotation after the surgery. You're in our thoughts and prayers and hope all works out for you! Keep us informed!

dsprik · 05-23-2008, 04:15 AM

Rondo, I hope you're assistant was wrong on the motion. I was told that I should have full range and no pain. BUT, I know the are people who have not faired that well. I will have a positive attitude and Faith and that's the best weapon against anything going wrong.

It is time for the surgery, though. Wasn't going to, but I will share with you what I related to a MOCer through a PM. I don't want to look as though I am bragging. This is just a good story for my grandkids. Don't know if I even told any of my kids this story...

I originally dislocated that left shoulder during my college football years (1970-1975). During a game my sophmore year I caught a pass and broke two tackles to score a touchdown. I was sandwiched by two linebackers at the 5 yd line, which dislocated the shoulder. Never felt the pain (adrenaline) until I ran into the endzone. Then I collapsed. It did pop right back in, but unbelievable pain.

That was right before the half. I played the entire second half on Darvon with my left arm taped to my side. Don't remember much except I remember how I marveled at how, when I took a hit, the pain was there momentarily, but by the time I got back to the huddle, it was totally gone. I remember feeling like I was walking on a cloud.

We won that game 7-0 for the conference championship.

I have been living with pain in that shoulder for years. Actually about 20 yrs ago I had cortisone injections in it.

The pain finally culminated in rotator cuff surgery in Oct of 2005. Would have been sooner, but I was going through those 3 failed right shoulder surgeries 6/2004, 10/2004 and 5/2005, so I had to wait.

When the doc did finally go in to the left shoulder, he repaired the partially torn rotator cuff and removed a few bone spurs, but he was not happy with what he saw in there. That was when he mentioned that I would be looking eventually at a shoulder replacement.

After the Oct 2005 surgery, I started taking glucosamine and their was a gradual improvement and some lessoning of the pain. However, I started working the turnstiles at Epcot last Nov and, while I tried to limit movement of that arm as much as possible, the pain gradually began to increase.

I was scheduled for an ortho appointment May 20 (2 days ago) since last Feb, so I waited until I was back from FL.

The pain is constant and I am looking forward to the surgery to alleviate this aggravation.

The pain has been everyday now for the past 6 months or so. On a scale of 1-10, it has ranged up to a 10. I have a high pain threshold (no brain - no pain???) but it is not getting any better and my ortho doc recommened immediate surgery. He's the Detroit Red Wings early camp team doctor.

They now have what is called a reverse shoulder replacement - the ball and socket are reversed. Not sure if I am a candidate for this or not.

Still waiting to hear from the shoulder surgeon.

sailer · 05-23-2008, 05:31 AM

Dave the surgeon told me it was to be a reverse as you say but the recover is not good so do a lot of checking and praying as you have a 6 month deal ahead sailer

sailer · 05-23-2008, 04:00 PM

Well Dave after much thinking i was frozen on the right shoulder 2 or 3 yrs ago and had the rotacuff done but still in therpy and we always walk the beach every am in bonita and i was in a sling and i watched a guy , the rt arm was swinging like mad but the left was in his pocket , we walked all winter and i said doc told me he has a series problm,, 1st its now frozen as they call it and he needs a total replacement , i talked to his wife a few times but not about the arm but i knew it was gone as you say ,, i hope you have a great surgeon , you have confidence in him and are ready to go on recovery, as i still have the pulls and the handels from the beam in the garage as i did it for 3 years to finaly get it where i want it but it still wants to hit my side at times but i saw doc last week as sharon had 2 new hips for the 2nd time done by him ,, he did not do the first ,, so we are in his office every month as we are on a first name case after 3 years as we know most of the staff by name now , he told me i need a total some day but i was to hold off but it sounds like you are ready if the hand is in the pocket already , so it also is frozen , i guess,, do what ever he says to do and do it extra on the rehab as you will be much happer in the long run ,,,,,sailer

**Rondo** · 05-24-2008, 04:21 AM

Dave keep me informed on the procedure and how things come out! Im sure I'm going to have to have the surgery eventually but I'm trying to hold off as long as possible. Take care and as I said keep us informed on the procedure.

capn chris · 05-24-2008, 05:07 AM

Dave,
Keep us posted. Lynn and I will be by to check on your rehab process when we come to Bellaire this summer! Headed to the NE Rally this week, then on to MN, WI, and then MI. Best of luck and stay in touch. Yikes.

sailer · 05-24-2008, 03:15 PM

Dave I hope i see you in mackanaw at millcreek or at the show in elkart in sept ans you are doing great good luck but get it done,,,, sailer

ols1932 · 05-24-2008, 03:59 PM

Dave,
Having had multiple skeletal type surgeries in the past few years, I believe you'll come through fine. There have been so many advances in the technology that really overcome all the "horror stories" you might hear. Sure, there may be some who don't have great results but I've found that if you do the rehab required you'll likely regain full range of motion again. Look at it positively.

Orv

dsprik · 05-24-2008, 06:30 PM

Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone! I will be a stickler for rehab. I am counting on the newest technology also to eliminate any negative results. Still waiting on the referral to get faxed from my ortho doc to the shoulder specialist. I will keep everyone posted. The pain is pretty severe. I took a couple guys fishing tonight. We did catch a nice walleye - 23", but driving the boat was very painful.

sailer · 05-25-2008, 04:03 PM

Can't you teach someone else to drive the boat ,,,, sailer

dsprik · 05-25-2008, 06:06 PM

Yes, just too stubborn to let someone else drive my boat. Didn't claim to be smart.

txkrumm · 05-26-2008, 10:36 AM

dsprik,
Check into a shoulder block either before surgery or directly after. Talk to your anesthesia provider about an interscalene block or possibly supraclavicular block. It is basically injecting local anesthetics into the shoulder/neck area and can provide post op pain relief for 16-24 hrs post op. My patients love it! When it works, it is awesome.
Good luck,
t
PS: For now, you could talk to you Doc about Voltaren, or diclofenac, it is a superduper NSAID, like the Ibuprofen but I believe it to be better! They just came out with a patch for transdermal administration.

dsprik · 05-26-2008, 01:15 PM

Thanks for the info, Tara! I will write that down for the Doc.

I have had the interscalene block on my last two (or three?) shoulder surgeries. Did work great for about 16 hrs if I recall. Then they had me on a mobile pain pump, which didn't work well as the tube kept coming loose and finally I just had to pull it out.

I will have a different shoulder surgeon this time around. My old one moved to Sacramento, CA from N. MI.

mail2us · 05-31-2008, 05:22 AM

Dave,
Our thoughts and prayers for you on your upcoming surgery and a good recovery. I read this entire thread and find that you have many good folks cheering you on. Mickey probably would also wish you well if he were on the internet!!

dsprik · 05-31-2008, 06:37 AM

Thanks, guys! I received a call from the appointment nurse yesterday afternoon, after a little badgering. I have a logistics problem which will have to be resolved. The earliest the nurse could set me up for is July 22 - almost 2 months from now. That is only the initial consultation. THEN they have to schedule surgery. My experience is that takes another 2 months to get in. THEN I am looking at 3 months rehab. I need to up and able by the Goshen Rally and then to drive to FL later in Oct.

I have been put on a "cancellation list", but something will have to change somewhere. I will be in the ER before July 22 with the pain building as it has been over these past few weeks. I am hopeful for a cancellation.

Mrs. CountryGuy · 05-31-2008, 07:00 AM

Dave,

We will all swing some beads, and send forth VERY positive thoughts, so that you can get this thing done way before the dates they are giving you.

dsprik · 05-31-2008, 07:27 AM

Thanks, Carol! I love the positive energy. I'll take all I can get...

RC and Samantha · 05-31-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

Thanks, guys! I received a call from the appointment nurse yesterday afternoon, after a little badgering. I have a logistics problem which will have to be resolved. The earliest the nurse could set me up for is July 22 - almost 2 months from now. That is only the initial consultation. THEN they have to schedule surgery. My experience is that takes another 2 months to get in. THEN I am looking at 3 months rehab. I need to up and able by the Goshen Rally and then to drive to FL later in Oct.

I have been put on a "cancellation list", but something will have to change somewhere. I will be in the ER before July 22 with the pain building as it has been over these past few weeks. I am hopeful for a cancellation.

Dave still keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. In the meantime why don't you hone Cheryl's driving skills with the Montana. Yep I sure know that the price of fuel may make that difficult...I know, I know another thread. She took the class with us I think & I'll be she'll do great. That should get you guys to the Fall Rally.

I hope a cancellation comes threw for you, so you can get this all done sooner than later. It amazing isn't it how complexed the specialty field has become & how long one has to wait to even get their initial consultation.

We'll continue the prayers & watching this thread for your updates.

Have a great summer in the meantime.

Patty

8.1al · 05-31-2008, 11:03 AM

Dave,
It must be awfully frustrating when it takes so long. I know you would rather you didn't have to do this but I also know how much pain you have had and know when this is over you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner. In the meantime we'll hope and pray that you can get in soon.

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