Shoulder Replacement Surgery

[Abraham]

Ever had it?

Or, know anyone whose had it?

If so, how successful is/was it?

It's in my very near future. Eventually both shoulders will need it.

Thanks!

[Charles L. Cotton]

I have not had shoulder surgery, but I know people who have had various types of shoulder surgery, including my wife. Medical malpractice defense made up most of my docket for 20 years and the only guy I'd use (and the one my wife used) is Gary Gartsman with Fondren Orthopedic in Houston.

Chas.

[Abraham]

Charles, thank you!

[sugar land dave]

I would second the vote for Fondren Orthopedic. I was scheduled for shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, but it suddenly got better along with my heart and kidneys last December. I had the best Christmas in over a decade. Though I cannot attribute my recovery to them, they do have some very good doctors there.

[Sport Coach]

I work in sports medicine and work with shoulder replacements regularly. Generally I tell people at 3 months it will start to stop hurting - all shoulder surgeries tend to be more sore than you guess. If you need it, you need it. Get a second opinion if you have doubts. Fondren group has been well thought of for 20+ years. In north and west side of Houston there are good docs too.

[anygunanywhere]

http://allamericanorthopedic.com/

Dr. Marston Holt repaired my right shoulder in Nov 2011. I did not have a full replacement. I had an "arthroplasty" performed which is essentially a resurface of the ball.

I am 100% and will likely never need the total joint repair.

I went to Dr Holt for a second opinion. My first OS told me he would only do a total joint and that at my age I would likely have to have a second one.

Go see Dr Holt. He is a gifted surgeon.

[mental_midget]

Had a friend in high school that had full replacement on the left shoulder when he was 18 years old, recovered well, in about 2 months he was fully recovered. Had the same surgery on the right shoulder when he was 22 years old, the second one took him about 2 1/2 months to get through, but he now has no pain and has full motion. He is currently a lumber jack, and has no pain, other than his back.

[Abraham]

I just now checked back to this thread.

Thanks everyone for you responses.

[puma guy]

I can vouch for Fondren Orthopedic as well. I've had three surgeries; five procedures in all plus rehab. I think they have a surgeon for every joint in the body.

[Bitter Clinger]

I just now checked back to this thread.

Thanks everyone for you responses.

Unless the pain is so debilitating that you are unable to function, I would avoid surgery for what is presumably a chronic condition. Just my two cents having had less than good results. Find out the real stats, what % of procedures - for your specific complaint and proposed surgery - have presented with a successful outcome. This is not a decision to be made based on anecdotal evidences.

[Abraham]

Thanks all for the well wishes. I really appreciate it.

Bitter Clinger,

I completely agree with your perspective.

Without, I hope, sounding like a whiner, I'm not quite in constant pain, just most of the time after I use my left arm to do something simple as picking a pencil. Then, the pain remains like a toothache.

[SHogun62]

I haven't had a replacement (yet), but I'm just shy of a year off of a Labrum Tear surgery, with a TFCC surgery 8 months before that. Recently I transitioned into "Home" Rehabilitation, which means I get to go to the gym again, as long as I take it easy.

[Bitter Clinger]

Thanks all for the well wishes. I really appreciate it.

Bitter Clinger,

I completely agree with your perspective.

Without, I hope, sounding like a whiner, I'm not quite in constant pain, just most of the time after I use my left arm to do something simple as picking a pencil. Then, the pain remains like a toothache.

I would suggest that you see a good physical therapist who specializes in shoulders and up the anti-inflammatories. Icing helps also. Can't remember where you are located but if you can get into Dallas I am happy to refer you.

[Abraham]

Bitter Clinger,

Thank you for the kind offer, but I live close to Galveston.

Daily, I do take one anti-inflammatory pill (15 mg meloxican for my arthritic hands), but it doesn't seem to help much. Icing seems to work better.

Past athletic pursuits, hard physical labor and injuries do take a toll once you get 'long in the tooth', but I wouldn't trade it to have been a couch veggie.