Hi all, finally saw the surgeon regarding my shoulder. I have been offered the choice of two procedures- full shoulder replacement or a keyhole surgery to remove the diseased muscle tissue and repair what they can. My ball joint isn’t fitting properly in the socket, up too high at the top and space at the bottom.
I found this picture online which is similar to mine although the gap at the bottom of mine is wider.
I have opted for the keyhole at the moment because I don’t feel I’m ready for such a big surgery. The keyhole should help with the pain but won’t give me a wider range of movement and if it doesn’t help then I will need to get the big op. So, anyone had a similar keyhole surgery or shoulder replacement done? I would love to hear your experiences.
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NanaFifi
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I haven't had that sort of surgery,but maybe this will help you decide if you have made the right decision. I had a arthoscopy on my right knee to hopefully help me walk better, but i still ended up having a full knee replacement done the following year.xx
Yes, but it will just be delaying the inevitable as I will eventually need the replacement. The keyhole surgery won’t put the ball joint back in place, it’s purely to help with the pain. But . . . the longer I can delay the better, I don’t know how long these replacement joints last? I’m only 59, if I can hold off that big op for a few years surely that’s a good thing?
Oh! Such a difficult choice!
Hi Nana
I had a shoulder replaced in jan this year. Still a little sore but much better than it was, remember we all have different results from surgery 💐
I had a knee arthroscopy. The surgeon reckoned that could give me around 5 years of pain free movement. It was 10 years ago...and all’s still ok. We are all different so what was best for me might not be for you.
The other advantage os a smaller op is that it could make it easier to work on your fitness afterwards, so you would be in a better place for the bigger op later on.
Thanks helixhelix, I just don’t think my head is in the right place to have the big op at the moment. Glad your knee is doing so well, 10 years is a great outcome.
Hi NanaFifi ,
I started by having my left shoulder cleaned out with keyhole , it helped for a short time but in the end I had a replacement , and it's been very good . That was about 15 years ago now and " touch wood " it's still feeling good .
I hope that whatever you decide you get some pain relief .
Thank you Cherie22, it’s good to hear from someone who has been through both ops. I’m sure that’s what will happen to me, how long were you after the keyhole before you needed the replacement?
It was a long time ago now but I think it was less than a year , was taken in again for another clean but when they looked in they decided I needed a replacement . I’ve been happy with the replacement . I understand that it’s a big decision for you to make , so good luck.
You’re welcome . Is it possible for you to see the surgeon again for a chat about the surgery , now everything has sunk in after they told you your options you must have questions for him/her , or even speak to a occupational therapist or physio. It’s a hard decision to make .
I think I’ll give his secretary a ring on Monday and ask if he can ring me. Hubby works away and get home tonight so will go through it all with him and write down any questions. Maybe jot down all the pros and cons too.
I think you need time to decide, it’s not a decision to rush , but you need your questions answered before you go ahead, just to put your mind at rest . As I said before , mine is 15 years old now and still ok . Good luck .
Hi Pamelah5, he didn’t say it was rotator cuff, he pointed out that it was the muscle above/top of the shoulder that was diseased. Is that the rotator cuff? I think the word he used was debride, which is just remove isnt it?
No, he said I wouldn’t have any improvement in movement with the keyhole surgery but that it should help with the pain. Only the replacement would give me a bigger range of movement.
Hi Nana Fifi , i had key hole surgery on my shoulder a number of years ago , decompression surgery. The surgery went well , it did take alot of physio and more than 9 months to get a good range of movement back . Despite all of that it was the best thing i ever did as i was pain free after years of severe pain and disturbed nights . I hope you are able to decide on the option that works for you , best wishes xx
I’m not getting decompression though, the surgeon plans to remove the muscle tissue that has been damaged by rheumatoid disease. He says I won’t get any more movement but that it should really help with the pain. Glad you had a good result with your surgery xx
I had some tissue and bone shaved during this surgery, i know its not quite the same as my problem was caused by an old injury. I hope all goes well for you , let us all know what you decide to do , fingers crossed for a great result 🌸
I had a new shoulder just before xmas. Im thrilled with result. The Pain before was intolerable but I had left it as long as possible . Its hard work but now no pain. Still more work to do but it was good. You do need a good specialist surgeon. Good luck whatever you choose.
Thanks Hattie23, that’s great that your surgery is a success. I think if I have the smaller surgery first I can get another couple of years before I need the replacement. They is of course if it works! My surgeon is the top man in Grampian where shoulder surgery is concerned so no worries there.
I had a reverse shoulder replacement 3 years ago, for me it’s been brilliant. I’ve more movement in my arm than before and no pain. In my area Shoulder replacements are monitored every three years after the first year as it’s not a common surgery.
It’s a decision only you can make, do what you feels best for you.
I hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is speedy.
Thank you Anna, so glad you’ve had a great outcome from your surgery. It’s good to hear from so many people who have found the replacement surgery successful. X
Hi, I have had the keyhole surgery on my shoulder where they cleared the debris out.It did help with the reduction of pain and gave me more movement.Unfortunately it didn't last and have now had to have a replacement ball joint. The surgeon did say there is a probability that I will need a socket replacement.However on the positive side the pain has gone and I have good movement in it. I hope everything goes well whatever decision you make.
Thanks Pinkdance, sorry to hear that you may need further surgery but glad that your pain has gone. I think I’m going to talk to my GP on Monday and see what he thinks.
I have had 2 shoulder operations. Left one a half replacement and Right a full replacement. My problem was degeneration of bones though. Arthritis but confusing since a top consultant said it was not Rheumatoid but was definitely an inflammatory form of arthritis.
So although my reason for the operation is different from yours, the operation itself is nothing to fear if you need it in the future. The full replacement was best as I have the full range of movement and no pain. The operation was not traumatic and recovery was relatively fast. My right shoulder feels normal now. However, I don't know how long it will last and it might cause problems in the future. I am able to swim again which is great.
If you are not happy with the keyhole operation you can always go for the replacement in the future. My consultant was Mr. C. Brooks and he is a shoulder expert. My operation was done at Benenden Hospital but he also goes to William Harvey in Ashford, Kent.
Hi Lorana, thanks for sharing it has helped take some of the fear away. I’ve had multiple surgeries including a spinal fusion but for some reason a shoulder replacement freaks me out!
I’m in Scotland 🏴 so quite a distance away from you but my surgeon is top man for shoulder surgery.
I almost wish he hadn’t given me the choice which completely goes against the grain as generally the problem lies with not being included enough in decisions regarding healthcare!
I had arthroscopic surgery on my left shoulder about 6 years ago I have to say that my shoulder had completely seized at the time had zero movement in it. It took a while before the movement was back to normal and you must keep up with the physio afterwards. Although it’s getting a bit sore again now I feel that I’ve got a good six years without too many issues. My shoulder was so bad for so long that I managed to fracture my collarbone without doing anything they seem to think it was a stress fracture so I folded my arms and told them I wasn’t moving until they sorted it lol. It is a tough decision as you’re quite right it’s only delaying the inevitable so time for a pro and con list for both.
Thanks for your input Leics, 6 years?! That really good isn’t it? I still have a decent range of movement and I think that’s another reason for me to delay the big op. I feel I need to wait until it’s driving me mad, the pain is reasonably well controlled just now. I’m just coming up to my 60th birthday and if I could even have 2 or 3 years before the replacement op at least my hubby would be retired and there to look after me. (He works on an oil rig and is away for 3 weeks at a time)
Yeah I think you need to have someone to look after you afterwards even if that’s just taxi service and help with general stuff. I have to say though that arthroscopic surgery still needs time to recover and physio etc afterwards. Whatever you decide the outcome has got to be better than it is now.
Hi. I tore my rotator cuff a year ago and went to orthopedic surgeon who of course wanted to operate. My rheumy said no surgery! He said what do you expect when you consult a surgeon! He sent me to physical therapy and it helped immensely. I’ve had orthoscopic knee surgeries and asked surgeon how it compared. He said they were not comparable, that any shoulder surgery is more intense and takes longer to heal. I wish you well in your de ision.
If I were you I would have the replacement and be done with it. If it is inevitable then it doesn't make sense to have both ops. I would bite the bully and be done with it and you can then get on with recovering once and for all. I mean when is ones head "ever in the right place" to have a big op. Sounds to me like the keyhole will be a waste of time and you still have to go through the recovery period.
An update on this post. I opted for the keyhole surgery which I had done on 23rd July and although it’s early days I know a massive difference in the pain already.
There was a bit of a twist in my story though, I was initially referred for my right shoulder but during the time between referral and the surgery (8 months) my left shoulder got worse than the right. My GP sent a letter, x-ray and scan reports to my surgeon, Mr Kumar and on the day of the surgery he asked which one was giving me the most pain/problems, I said it was the left and he offered to do that one first. I could have kissed him!
I have nothing but praise for my surgeon, the anaesthetist and all the staff I dealt with at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen. This surgery was so different from my last one when I was left overnight without adequate pain relief. I go back in 2 months to have the right shoulder done.
Thank you to everyone who gave me their opinion/advice/support. xx
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