Anyone go through a full shoulder replacement?

Sigarms · 2025-10-06T06:09:05-0400

Time is getting near for a full shoulder replacement.

Started about 15 years ago whitewater kayaking. Turned out I had arthritis in the right shoulder. About 10 years ago, it was brought up I would be looking at an operation. 5 years ago turned out it's going to have to be a full replacement on the right shoulder.

I was told originally I was a bad candidate for the operation because the pain on my end was more than manageable. Reality is though for some time couldn't handle a chain saw any more, and over the weekend was using the pressure washer for some time and I told my wife I finally would go in and see if a cortisone would help for now (it's always been kind of bad, but getting to the point where the pain at night isn't becoming manageable).

In my my mind, I may make it going into next year, butt, it's on my radar now that it will have to be done.

Just wondering from others past experiences and the rehabilitation you went through?

I did talk to one guy last year that had one actually in 2024, and he said honestly it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, and only in a couple of months he was actually feeling good. I'm generally on the pessimistic side and perhaps things have gotten with the procedure over time?

akadave · 2025-10-06T07:49:55-0400

Not me but two guys I'm close to had it done and both say they'd do it again but not wait so long.

duffer · 2025-10-06T07:51:09-0400

Most good docs will advise cortizone shots until they don't work anymore, rather than just jumping into surgery. You could get a year or two or three from the shots.

My sister in law just had her shoulder replaced, and like your friend got better in a couple of months, but that doesn't mean you'll operate a chain saw by then. And in her case, the doc said she would only get about 80% of full use going forward. You might want to have that conversation with your surgeon.

FWIW.