I am 76 had RA >20 yrs have bilateral knee replacement both at same time right hip also replaced and to-day found shoulder needs replacing. Rotator cuff damaged completely, been offered reverse should joint replacement. Anyone had this please and how did it go?
Don't feel I can take much more surgery.
Hi there...
Sorry you are having a bad time. I can empathise with the 'sick of surgery' feeling. I have been putting off my ortho's recommendation to have both knees replaced but I dont think I can hold out much longer. How are your knees now, was it worth having the ops?
I havent had a reverse shoulder replacement but its next on the list. I had a repair of a torn cuff/acromioplasty/bursectomy and although the op wasnt bad to begin with, afterwards, it never felt right. 12 months later they took me back to surgery thinking it was bursitis and frozen shoulder but there was no sign of FS when they tried manipulating it. They said the bursa had grown back and was impinging again and the rotator cuff tendon was torn completely off the bone - they told me it was from both arthritis and bursitis. The 2nd repair I had was extremely painful and now at 6mths post, its still not good. Ive been told the next step is reverse replacement so I will be interested how you go. I also have the same thing in the other shoulder and its turned me off surgery completely. Keep us informed and good luck, I hope someone who has had it can tell you about the op.
Hi Netbuddy, thank you for your response, at the moment I am undecided about the shoulder replacement. Like you rotator cuff completely torn away. Can't lift arm to do hair have a prob dressing etc. etc.
Have been on inter nett to research the op. and seen the exercies you have to do AFTER surgery.
Have decided to try them before I make any decisions. I live alone so am not sure how I will cope with arm in sling etc. Going to try glucosamine and MSM. It may not work but have nothing to lose.
I had both knees replaced 10 yrs ago. I managed very well and have no regrets. My advice is if you decide to go ahead with knees do plenty of thigh tightening exercises even if it is just sitting in arm chair and pushing feet into the ground and clenching thigh and buttocks muscles. Also as much as poss. bend your knees before surgery just gently. You will get a much better angle of bend after the op. I cannot kneel but that for me is not important I am pain free. A twinge now and then when I get a flair up.
Hope this helps. Regards. siskin
Hi Siskin, thanks for advice on the knees, it will come in handy if I proceed...
Yes I did lots of physiotherapy for my shoulder post op but at 3mths I had to have an urgent spinal fusion so I suspect they may have pulled on my arms while turning me over even tho I asked them to be careful. The physio's in the rehab unit were really good and had me advancing at the correct stages of the exercises but after I went home I remember that's when it became unmanageable again.
Im diabetic so I cant use glucosamine but its a good idea for you to try the MSM and glucosamine.
Im not sure that exercise will help a tear but it may strengthen the other tendons so your shoulder compensates for it. Im told its not the tear that is painful, its the bursitis so if you dont have that then maybe you could get away without having surgery. Anyway let me know how you go and what you decide. Good luck.
I have had problems on and off with my rotator cuffs for years. Even years before diagnosed as RD. When it hits lasts a week and can't do the simplest of thing always surprises me that I can change gears one day then the next I can't. But then it goes and it's like it never happened. Didn't think it was related to RD. last time was off work for a week and pain went when I had a steroid injection in the rear.
Is this how the problem presented with you?
Dee
Hi Redrooster, my shoulder problem has got worse over a long time. I didn't realise I had a problem until I gradually found I couldn't reach things, had difficulty combing hair etc.etc. but it was not particularly painful. I can only raise my arm to level with my shoulder now.
X ray has shown severe erosion on the shoulder joint ball and rotator cuff no longer attached to bone.
I hope you are able to get your shoulder sorted it is such a miserable thing to have to put up with because when all is o.k. you don't realise how much it affects your life.
Kind regards. siskin
Shoulder Replacement Operation Success,
RA and Broken shoulder and treatment options
Update on my shoulder replacement. 
