Reverse Shoulder Replacement

[Cheap Trick]

Will this effect shooting handguns? Will I likely be able to shoot a big game rifle in a few months?
You who have experienced this surgery, do you have any advice?
Thank you in advance,
Cheap Trick for

[hoodat]

I don't know -- will your arm be on backwards??. jd

[Misery-Whip]

Never heard of this one. Might want to ask the doc.

[ebb]

My daughter is a physical therapy assistant, and manages the center she works at. Both of my shoulders have torn rotor cuffs that happened 20 plus years ago (muscle atrophied till nonexistent) and the only option is total shoulder replacement. She has told me that the reverse is way better than any other options. She has compared the reverse against the conventional replacement for many years and said they healed quicker, had more range of motion and more strength. If shooting is not an option she has never mentioned it and we both shoot. This is most likely in my future, when i was working I keep all the other muscles strong, now that i am retired not so much.

[Ajax111]

I have had one for about 20 years. The only thing I notice. I am limited to the range of motion moving my right hand behind my back. Like belt through the belt loops and wallet in the back pocket.
The Doctor said that would happen. I am right handed and carried on the inside, right behind the right hip. I found I could not reach that far back anymore. I bought a left handed holster and moved my gun to the left side and practiced with it until I was comfortable.
That is the only difference I have noticed. I still shoot (rifles and hand guns)off the right side like normal and still compete at Trap, so you know there is plenty of use on the right side.
Do the therapy, some muscles are going to do different things, but they learn.

Good Luck

[Hogtamer]

I posted a long reply but somehow lost it. Bottom line, 100% happy, 90% function. As Ajax said lost some motion behind back and pushing down, but you learn to compensate.
Tried to post picture of x ray but no go. You might set off metal detectors with titanium screw though.

[725]

My experience is the same as described by Hogtamer. Searing pain replaced by a slight loss of strength and really unremarkable bumps in the road. I never looked back. If you want a couple post surgery "T-shirts". They open over the shoulder and make life easier for the first few weeks, PM me and I'll send 'em along.

[Hogtamer]

Forgot to mention, the first one went so well had the other done the next year. Shot doves in 6 months and sighted 30/06 for grandson. No troubles with recoil.

[abunaitoo]

I had to look it up.
Yikes!!!!

Just started having problems with my right shoulder.
Doc said it's arthritis.
Hope I don't need any surgery.

[Delkal]

No clue about Reverse Shoulder Replacement but find a hospital that specializes in orthopedic surgery. My GF got her hip replaced at a place where they did at least 12 and probably over operations a day to the point it was routine. When the doctors/nurses/rehab specialists do the same thing everyday it is probably better than a hospital where it is a few a week.

Depending on where you live you might have to travel.

[bosterr]

My wife is going to get her reverse shoulder next week. She hunts whitetail with a 14" Contender in .358 jdj. She wanted me to ask here. I could switch her to my 12 inch Contender in .44, but she'd rather not. Does anyone here have any issues with hard kickers? Any comments and advice are welcome.

[725]

booster - Just use some common sense. Everybody is different and if her experience is similar to mine, it should not be a real issue. Handgun use will certainly offer less stress to the shoulder than a rifle. Just don't over-do it. Stay in that "comfy" zone. With a handgun, a suitable rest and intelligent body position will still have you dragging the deer out for her.

[Big Boomer]

I had my left shoulder replaced in June 2020. Don't know anything about reverse shoulder replacement. Out of caution I gave to my son my .30-06 & a number of other firearms I haven't used in years. But then, I'm 86 years old. Still use my .243 & lesser calibers. Big benefit, though painful, was to do at home the prescribed exercises. Cut my physical therapy in half. Therapist told me I was an overachiever but it worked. Would not want the old painful shoulder back. Slight loss of range of motion but I can live with that. Do the at-home exercises. They will speed things along remarkably. Big Boomer

[MrWolf]

I posted a long reply but somehow lost it. Bottom line, 100% happy, 90% function. As Ajax said lost some motion behind back and pushing down, but you learn to compensate.
Tried to post picture of x ray but no go. You might set off metal detectors with titanium screw though.

I didn't have the full shoulder surgery and no titanium, but have screws and cage in my back and stents in my heart. They give you medical cards to carry but they shouldn't set off the detectors. Good luck

[abunaitoo]

I looked at pictures of it.
Doesn't look as strong as the ball and socket.
Watching Dr. Jeff on TV and he does lots of FHO surgeries on animals.
Wonder if the same can be done on people???

[.429&H110]

Many of my co-workers had shoulder surgery.
Their advice to my sore shoulder was to do the physical therapy first, to get as strong and flexible as you can, because post-op the physical therapy is long and painful. Turns out, after 8 years in this pool my shoulder does not hurt any more. The move that worked was an uppercut holding the pool ladder, elbow tight to ribs, slowly at first. Seems like it regreased the shoulder and smoothed the arthritis. No more basketball, and nothing heavy on the top shelf... YMMV

[white eagle]

I was told I need one as well
and after 1 hip resurfacing and 2 knee replacements, neither by the way have relieved any pain and only increased it and limited my activities, for me that will never happen
If I were you take it as long as you can before goiing down that road

[AlaskaMike]

I'm looking at one too, but the lengthy recovery has me hesitant.

In the short term I'll be talking to my surgeon about a cortisone shot and a plan for physical therepy. In my case the cortisone shot will be more to mitigate the arthritis pain than anything for the destroyed rotator cuff.

[LDB]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Mortimer. Went to a discount surgeon. They only had a right shoulder left but used it for his left replacement. Can't hardly reach to buckle his belt but man can he scratch any itchy spot on his back.