Shoulder Joint Replacement

HI Cobra · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 02:16 PM

If anyone needs information about getting a full shoulder joint replacement,
I am now qualified. I went into the hospital at 5:30 am on Wednesday and
made my escape yesterday about 2 pm. The surgery ended up lasting 3 1/2
hours rather than the guesstimated 2 hours due to a lot more bone spurs than
anticipated. Two surgeons did the work and the net result was that the fit was
excellent and that I'll get a lot more mobility than I had prior to the surgery.
I should have had this done earlier but I lucked out and didn't wait until it was
totaled. The rehab should be interesting but so far this is easier than my knee was.

Anyone else out there done this who may have some good advice or do's and don't's from
your experience?

My carrot for recovery is to be able to get back in the Cobra and go for a ride!

I am sure that I can look forward to even more fun going through airport security.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 02:45 PM

Flip,

Congratulations on the great way everything went. I hope that you have a quick recovery. How is this gong to affect your sky diving as I would guess you will have to wait a little longer to do that due to the stress. Enjoy the Cobra and being on the ground for a while.

Ron

Jim Werth · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 03:51 PM

Had my shoulder scoped Jan 21. Haven't been back to work yet. Hope your rehab goes better than mine. Can't drive my cobra yet ! Jim

Bobcat · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 04:13 PM

Glad everything went well ... and the after surgery therapy will be very important .
I`ve had both hips done and the PT made all the difference . A friend had a hip done and didn`t follow through on the PT and had to have it redone several months ago .
You are right ... airport security is fun ... I told one of the TSA guys in Atl as he was doing the pat down that I would give him a half hour to cut that out . Broke the ice and really speed things up .
Hope you have an uneventful recovery !

Bob

HI Cobra · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 05:16 PM

Bob,

I'll remember that one with the security

I have learned that doing the correct rehab is the key for
recovery.

Ron,

Not sure if I'll be skydiving again. Time will provide the answer to
that one. Of course every time I have had something fixed (none
skydiving related) the doc's have said no way. I have waited until I
have fully recovered, then seen how I felt physically and so far that
has worked. I have been jumping for 40 years and know what the
risks are. If I have any doubts then it may be time to retire. I'll cross
that bridge when I get there.
Right now the goal is to get back in the Cobra!

Scott S · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 07:36 AM

I haven't had a shoulder replacement yet but have had three major surgeries after totally wrecking my left shoulder in a logging accident.

Don't skimp or cheat yourself on the therapy or you will be rewarded with limited motion for the rest of your life.

Scott S

Cobrabill · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 03:40 PM

[quote=Scott S;Don't skimp or cheat yourself on the therapy or you will be rewarded with limited motion for the rest of your life. Scott S[/QUOTE]

Truer words have never been spoken.My wife had both her knees replaced(at the same time)and the therapy afterwards is THE most crucial thing....PERIOD.

HI Cobra · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:05 PM

Both knees at the same time - WOW. I only needed one done - can't imagine
recovering from both at once. I know about the rehab and am already working it - doing only what they recommended. Get the full schedule
Tuesday during post-op visit. So far I am very happy with the progress.
I do not want to do anything stupid which could delay my return to the
driver's seat of my Cobra.

Thanks again.

Cobrabill · #9 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:15 PM

Surgery was done on Tues. at noon.
Friday AM-she dressed herself and got out of bed for the trip to the rehab place.
Monday morning she came home.
Wednesday morning she walked out to the back barn.

tcrist · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:25 PM

Wow Bill, Thats one heck of a lady. Most guys I know would have layed around for a couple of weeks monin and gronin before getting up just to go to the bathroom.

Cobrabill · #11 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:43 PM

Old School Cowgirl.She wore her knees out rodeoin'.She used what i call"blonde logic" on the doctor.Doing one at a time,the recovery period is DOUBLED.Also we knew people who did one knee and promptly blew out the second one while re-habbing the first one(favoring the leg that was just operated on)

She also beat the sh!t out of breast cancer.

Ron61 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 09:16 AM

Bill,

That is great. You have one special lady there. But is it possible that since she married you the Blonde thing is real?

Ron

Cobrabill · #13 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron61

Bill,

That is great. You have one special lady there. But is it possible that since she married you the Blonde thing is real?

Ron

You might have a point there....

Ron61 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 10:25 AM

I thought that might get your attention. Where is Wes lately? I haven't seen him posting for some time.

Ron

Cobrabill · #15 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 02:14 PM

Dunno........

SP01715 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Werth

Had my shoulder scoped Jan 21. Haven't been back to work yet. Hope your rehab goes better than mine. Can't drive my cobra yet ! Jim

Had mine done on 12/19 and it is worse than before the surgery. I had another MRI taken last week (get the results this week). I am probably looking at another more invasive surgery now.

Scott S · #17 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP01715

Had mine done on 12/19 and it is worse than before the surgery. I had another MRI taken last week (get the results this week). I am probably looking at another more invasive surgery now.

Just wondering how old are you?

My left shoulder was pretty much destroyed in the accident, I have lived with a torn right shoulder for 20 years.....

Think carefully about getting any more procedures done....

Scott S

Scott S · #18 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

I know about the rehab and am already working it - doing only what they recommended.

Thanks again.

I have a huge scar between my collar bone and the inside of my armpit, I got really tired of the questions about how did that happen.

I had it covered up with a nice tattoo of a "honu" in Lihue.

Scott s

HI Cobra · #19 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 01:25 AM

I had my post-op checkup and the before and after xrays are awesome.
I am getting a cd of them next week. Glad I didn't wait any longer as the
joint looked like it was fused. The scar looks like it won't be much. My
knee one is much larger and looks like a narrow light line with tracks, not
noticeable from 4 or 5'. Start the therapy on Thursday so I'll see how that
goes - so far very good.

SP01715 · #20 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott S

Just wondering how old are you?

My left shoulder was pretty much destroyed in the accident, I have lived with a torn right shoulder for 20 years.....

Think carefully about getting any more procedures done....

Scott S

I will be 42 in June. I hear what your saying about future procedures, but I am in constant pain now so I don't know what choice I have. My surgeon was not sure if the scope would work because I have a bone that is in two pieces, so they want to go back in and fix the bone with screws and a metal plate. The scope was the least invasive so we decided to try it before the more extensive surgery. I will know more this week when I get the latest MRI results.