Shoulder Replacement

[Dan Kennedy]

Just spoke with a surgeon. He just did 3 the day before (1 reverse and 2 press fits). When I asked him about working out after a total he basically said that total shoulders were designed for little old ladies. So basically, if you wish to work out - good luck as it will wear out a lot faster than with normal use. It's essentially a metal head and a poly glenoid. You may get some workouts in but long term - not likely due to wear and tear. Totals are good for inactive patients who just want to get rid of the pain - functionality will be compromised.

[tunafish]

Just spoke with a surgeon. He just did 3 the day before (1 reverse and 2 press fits). When I asked him about working out after a total he basically said that total shoulders were designed for little old ladies. So basically, if you wish to work out - good luck as it will wear out a lot faster than with normal use. It's essentially a metal head and a poly glenoid. You may get some workouts in but long term - not likely due to wear and tear. Totals are good for inactive patients who just want to get rid of the pain - functionality will be compromised.

Retired powerlifter. Lifted between 1975-1987. Best bench 330 @ 181#. Benched with elbows flared like everyone did during that era. No internet and youtube during that time either. No info on proper technique. It was just bust your butt and hope for the best. I was a chest and shoulder bencher and now it is triceps and back. I'm 64 now.

Had r shoulder replaced in Jan 2009 and l shoulder replaced in Jan 2010. Had bone on bone. 60 yrs old at the time. I'm a disabled vet and had it done at VA. Admitted on Monday and was released on Wednesday. Was in recovery room for 24 hrs hooked up to a morphine drip. Squeeze it every 6 minutes or starts to hurt. I squeezed the crap out of it just to make sure. When they unhooked me they gave me 2 Percocet just to keep ahead of any pain. I took one Percocet that night at home just in case and when I woke up on Thursday morning I didn't take any more Percocet and haven't since.

I never, I repeat NEVER had any pain at all during the whole procedure. They gave me a neck block with the anestisia just before I went under the knife. Kept arm in a sling for two weeks and then went in to have the stitches out. Scar was ugly. Have to keep the wound clean and not to get it wet till the scar heals. Shower very carefully. Takes 8 weeks for the subscapularis to heal since they have to detach it so no opening car doors or pulling with that side. Wound takes 4 months to heal 80% and 8 more months to be fully healed. Started PT after I had my stitches out. Gotta move the joint so that scar tissue doesn't build up.

My advice is to find a deep tissue massage specialist also. PT usually doesn't do this. Go to youtube and type in "band pull aparts" and get a theraband and do these faithfully along with dislocations with the theraband. I use the black theraband. Joe DeFranco has some excellent youtubes on band pullaparts. Just youtube Joe DeFranco shoulder and do what he says.I do no benching at all. Nothing with a sraight bar.

The only chest work I do now is 8-10 sets with dbs up to 50#. I do them laying on a Bosu ball on a flat bench so that my shoulders do not rise above my chest when pressing. Just squeezing pecs and not really pressing. Trying not to do anything that makes the titanium ball press against the plastic liner. I do lots of back work. I bought the MAG grips. www.maxagrip.com Love them for lat pulldowns. I sort of hang on them and use just uppper back strength to pull them down. No momenteum at all. Light weight and squeeze. I also climb a rope 4-5 times a week using leg wrap.

Look up Blackburns and Dynamic Blackburns and do these also. Gotta get the rear delts, rhomboids and upper back and scapula muscles working. The goal is healthy functional shoulders not how much you can press anymore. Those days are gone forever. I do rowing motions for back and just bought the e-series core blaster and Meadows row handle from www.elitefts.com. Work great for back since I can keep my hands in the neutral position.

I have a titanium ball on my humereous and a plastic liner on my glenoid socket which is the weak point. Don't want to wear away the plastic liner or crack it so nothing that causes pressure on it. 10 pushups is the max. I also do yoga (child pose) and other movements in class which keep my morale up. It's not a death sentence. Louie Simmons had a shoulder replacement and he still lifts but I'm not the man he is.

I'm glad I had it done cause otherwise I would just be doing cardio crap. I started exercising 4 months after surgery. Very gently of course. I am a long range tuna fisherman and I am hoping to go back to San Diego and hop on a boat again for 10 days but I admit that the thought of the presssure on my shoulder cranking on a tuna scares me. Will probably do it though, just lay the rod on the rail like the 80 yr olds on the boat do.

My Dr told me not to lift anything heavier than 10# and 10 pushups at the most. Yea right. I'm not stupid though. I never go to failure. I undertrain rather than overtrain. Walk 4 miles to gym 5 times a week. Legs one day. No squatting. Shoulders are not flexible enough and never will be. Maybe use a safety squat bar though so no shoulder pressure. No deadlifts. Nothing that would pull the shoulder too much or cause the titanium ball to put too much pressure on the plastic liner.

No chins either but the rope climb is great. I do my own mobility (yoga) stuff after every training session. Blackburns, band pullaparts, yoga shoulder stretches, child pose. Also at the end I do 100 reps in band pullaparts like DeFranco says. My shoulders feel wonderful after doing these. Don't have hands too close though and concentrate on feeling them in your external rotators the whole time.

Don't forget the deep tissue massage. Worth every penny.

OK I'm done. Hope this helps someone. Ask any ?

[the mighty stu]

@TunaFish- Thanks for the write up of your experience. I'm 21 weeks out from surgery for a grade 6 Labral tear with multiple complications (bicep fraying, spinatus tears, zero cartilage left in joint), and after PT 3x a week since the week after the operation, I'm finally doing almost-normal execises in the gym.

Obviously I don't think I'll have a good idea what I'm going to look like, in terms of how much muscle I've lost, until about a year post, but in the meantime, it's definitely rough alternating between "I can get this back", and "damn I don't wanna make things worse for down the road."

I've already been told that full replacement will be in my future, along with horrible arthritis, although no one can say if we're talking next week, or next year.

Kills me to see some people being dumbasses in the gym, and then some of the smarter, safer trainers getting sidelined with no early indications whatsoever.

S

[Solid1944]

OK I'm 69 years old and have lifted for 40 years. Bodybuilding and power lifting and my shoulders are shot. Was told 2 years ago I needed replacements in both and will not do it. I live to lift and that would have changed my life as I want to live it. Have had deep tissue done, a lot of exercises with bands but the best thing I ever did was have Prolotherapy done. Relief the first session, not a cure but a relief from pain. 8 shots in each shoulder, to help tendons and ligaments to support joint. Yes still have some pain but no where near the same. More movement, you have nothing to lose, not burning any bridges can always get replacement. Also found 20,000 mg of MSM a day helps inflammation.

[tunafish]

Stu, I had tried everything before I finally had the replacement. I even had a "manipulation under anesthisia" to try and get some movement. Did "platlet rich plasma" (PRP) injections in both shoulders like Tiger Woods and other pro athletes do. Mine had bone on bone and osteoarthritis was bad. Surgeon said the goal was to remove the arthritis. I do no direct shoulder work at all. Just therabands and some rear delt stuff on machine. If a person did the band pullaparts with the therabands and did them correctly you would have a great pump in the shoulder muscles without stressing the joint. I don't concern myself with others being dumbasses in the gym. I don't give out unsolicited advice. Shoulders are a delicate joint. Not worth it IMHO to have a killer shoulder workout and tghen pay for it later on with problems. I also went to see Kelly Starrett of www.mobilitywod.com. Amazing guy. Told me to concentrate on mobility work and keep the scapular in line rather than concentrating on the shoulder joint by itself. Lots of good mobility advice given on www.allthingsgym.com for all joints of the body. Some really cool stuff on there. It's not a death sentence just can't lift heavy again. I know that's a death sentence to some but not me. Don't want to wind up in a wheel chair looking at my trophies. Prefer to stay active. I feel great. No pain meds of any kind. I even saw Dave Tate of www.elitefts.com doing band pullaparts on youtube. If he does them then that should be a good enough reason for everyone who values their shoulders to do them also. It's more important to have healthy functional shoulders than big shoulders that hurt all the time. Have to concentrate on external rotator work like bands, face pulls, shoulder horn, rear delt machine, blackburns.

Hope this helps. Ask me anything. I like to think that I am living proof that a person can get both shoulders replaced and still maintain a very active life.

[Flex500]

I dont post much on boards these days, but am a frequent visitor and have been around this game for a while. Im looking for anyone who knows of or has personal experience with shoulder replacement surgery. Been to 4 surgeons and this appears to be the only avenue to alleviate the constant pain that I am in. My concern though is being able to train post op. Like so many of us....training to me is like breathing and has been a part of my life for 25+ years. Does anyone know of anyone who has been able to return to training following complete shoulder replacement surgery. Any input is greatly appreciated. I am attaching my X Ray. Thanks in advance.

Z

I work for a company that sells reverse shoulder (you can look that up it's basically a type of replacment). I think ours is one of teh best on the market but to be honest shoulder replacments just aren't built to last enough yet. Over the next 10 years they will be substantially better.

knee's and hips used to last 8-15 years now some people are going 20-35 years on them. Shoulder replacements will go through the same advances in the future. As another person said with shoulder replacements we are just at the point we can do it and they person is functional. We are not at the point like with knees and hips where you can work out hard and all that. You will wear it out.

If you are able to work out hard and you do over and over you'll be getting a new replacement in less than 10 years. At your age you'll have to do this more than once anyway so you may have no choice.

It's like knees and hips...even though they have come a long way when someone who is 45 or 50 gets one they usually need another when they are 70 or 75 or sooner depending on activity.

[SZona]

Appreciate all the feedback. I am scheduled Feb 21st. The new strategy the Dr spoke with me about is just placing a metal cap over the head of the humerus rather than total replacement. He seems to think this would be a better approach and allow me to get back to doing at least some of the things I enjoy (modified of- course). Of course who knows what they will find once they are in there. I am hoping and praying for the best. The pain has reached a point where it can no longer be tolerated and the pain meds are causing me problems. Will let you know how it goes.

Z

[Dan Kennedy]

Sounds like humeral head resurfacing. Google that and you'll get an idea of what goes on during surgery.

[blergs]

how about peptides to try help build up tissue? TB500 or igf1/hGH ? just a thought.
Ihave spinal/back/neck issues form old car accident so i feel you on the pain man!
I wish you the best!

I myself havent had to replace anything, but i got a crazy fear of that stuff so i hope i dont need to.

I got my medical cannabis , peps and aas ( i avoid opiates) to try help keep me in less pain ans lifting.. build a bit more fluid/tissue :-) my elbows are now hurting alot more.. but it hink its training a bit to hard this year (i hope)

still in alot of pain but hey I hope you find something that works for you, GOOD LUCK!

[tunafish]

SZona, Hope you read my previous comments. I am not a medical professional but looked at your xrays and mine. Doesn't look like your glenoid socket has any arthritis on it which probably means that they don't have to put a plastic liner on it which is good news. Mine was horrible to look at. Arthritis on both the humerous and glenoid so I had to get the ball and socket both.

After it's done and you are rehabing just remember that it's your scapula that must aligned correctly so that the ball and socket will be aligned properly. I do no direct exercises for the shoulder joint itself. I do lots of scapula, rear delt, rhomboid, infraspinatus, teres minor, external rotator & inner trap work. My shoulders feel wonderful. Of course I am limited as to what I can do but no pain at all. I really feel that the band pullaparts and deep tissue massage have helped me more than anything. When you do the band pullaparts remember to concentate on the external rotators when pulling back and squeeze and hold for a second or two at the end. Don't need to have your hands go forward so that they touch either. It's a short range movement so that you are always feeling the movement on the infraspinatus area. As soon as you lose the feel in this area then pull them apart again. Think time under tension. The whole range of motion from when my hands are forward to when they are back is only about 6" or so. I do them with my palms facing each other, palms facing down and palms facing up. Before every training session I do 30 of these and then do 30 dislocates. At the end of my training session I do 100 reps. Believe me after doing 100 reps you will not want to do any more and your entire uppper back & scapula region will feel wonderful. On the dislocates I don't bring my hands all the way forward to my waist. Just over the top of my head and down and back till my hands are at my erector region. Don't fight it. Just be loose and let the scapula pull your hands together naturally when you go over the top. It should be a very fluid motion.

The first two weeks kinda suck cause you have this huge arm sling on and can't do anything with it. You have to keep the stitches dry so that an infection doesn't get in the incision. Once they take the stitches out and they put a smaller sling on then you can go to PT and start moving it around. Remember they will probably detatch and reatatch the subscapularis and it takes 8 weeks for it heal so you have to baby it till it has totally healed. You can probably do some band pullaparts at this time but I wouldn't start them until at least 8 weeks after surgery and doing them very gently. As the months go on then you could ramp it up a bit by putting your hands closer together. Of course listen to your Dr and your PT. I'm just telling you what worked for me. Not giving out any medical advice here.

PT had it's unpleasant moments for sure. Any time there is an operation there will be scar tissue built up which is why they have you go to PT as soon as posssible after the surgery to keep the scar tissue from binding you up. My PT used some "tools" which were made of plastic in the shape of a teaspoon and an ice cream scoop. She called the procedure "tooling" when she did it. She would scrape the edge of the "tool" along the scar up and down and side to side trying to break up the scar tissue. She even did it dirrectly on the scar itself right on top of the bone. Horrible pain. But it must be done. I think the procedure is called "gastron" technique. Lots of bodybuilder get it done to remove any scar tissue after training. She said my pec-delt region was full of scar tissue cause I never did any kind of stretching when I was lifting heavy. Paying for it now.

I was also given a prescription for Amoxicillin 500MG and have to take 4 pills 2 hours before I get my teeth cleaned to prevent any possible infection that could travel from my gums to the implant. Make sure you ask about this.

I also set off the alarms at the airport and have to deal with TSA. Not a pleasant experience for sure.

My Dr told me that the implant would probably last 15-20 years if I take care of it. I was 60 when I had them done, one year apart. At your age you will probably have to have it done again. I really think hard before I do anything so I don't screw it up but I also have to live an active lifestyle. I have accepted my limitations and have actually embraced my limitations. Can't bitch and moan about what you can't do and what you can't do.

There will be well meaning but totally clueless people who will tell you that if it was them that had the implant that it wouldn't stop them and they would go back to lifting heavy again. Yea right. Don't let anyone try to talk you into doing anything that would jeprodize your shoulder. You will have limitations for sure but remember it's not a death sentence. Will be tough not to bench press with the guys like in the good old days but those days are gone forever.

Ask me anything else and I hope this helps you. I went into this without any advice or help from anybody so want to share my experiences.

[sassy69]

@tunafish - my right shoulder is starting to throb just reading your experience but you mention a huge number of excellent pieces of information and top notch guys who use them. HYUGE Joe DeFranco fan. I'll be checking some of your recommendations myself!

[SZona]

Tunafish, If you dont mind drop me an email at [email protected] I will be wanting to pick your brain on this for sure. Kinda discouraged about whole thing. Knew I needed 6 years ago but have put off as long as possible. Someone with knowledge and experience would be a great asset for me in recovery from all of this. Truly appreciate it!

Z

[tunafish]

SZona, OK will do.

Just a reminder to everyone else. I just went to my favorite website. www.allthingsgym.com Click on "categories" and scroll down to "mobility" and then go to shoulders. Eric Cressey of www.ericcressy.com just analzyed the band pullaparts. I just learned something new and a better way to do them. Everyone should do these. Even those with good shoulders should do these as a warmup and cool down. You will see some of the most awesome shoulder exercises to do using bands and lacrosse balls on this website. I have watched every category of this website for all body parts and other unique items in the world of stgrength.

[banger]

I've had 8 shoulder surgies. I just ruptured my short head bicep from my shoulder picking my niece.

[JUSTINIAN]

Appreciate all the feedback. I am scheduled Feb 21st. The new strategy the Dr spoke with me about is just placing a metal cap over the head of the humerus rather than total replacement. He seems to think this would be a better approach and allow me to get back to doing at least some of the things I enjoy (modified of- course). Of course who knows what they will find once they are in there. I am hoping and praying for the best. The pain has reached a point where it can no longer be tolerated and the pain meds are causing me problems. Will let you know how it goes.

Z

wow good luck...please keep us posted