SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Has anyone had complete shoulder replacement surgery within the last five years? I have lost the rotator cuff to arthritis, overuse and age. Suffer extreme pain, constantly, have some use of the arm but overuse only increases the pain. This along with a diagnosis of poly and fibro myalgias complicates things even further, if the diagnoses are correct.

I understand the recovery is quite long and extensive and as I am 76 and live 60 miles away from where physical therapy would be conducted, even though I could do home exercises, I know that the therapy plays a huge part in recovery. Would appreciate any comments that anyone might offer. I am still active on a cattle/hay production ranch.

YOU NAME IT, HE HAS DONE IT. YOU NAME IT HE HAS TAKEN IT. THE ORTHOPEDIST HE SAW AS WELL AS THE SURGEON HE SAW IN ANOTHER OFFICE, INDICATE THAT THE MRI SHOWED THE ROTATOR CUFF NO LONGER EXISTS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE NEW INSURANCE LAWS, HE HAD TO UNDEREGO 90 DAYS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY TO MAKE HIM ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE SURGERY WHICH IS INDICATED MUST BE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT AS THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO REPAIR.

THANKS FOR YOUR INFO, HOWEVER. HE IS STILL UNSURE IF AT HIS AGE THIS TYPE OF SURGERY IS REASONABLE BUT THE PAIN IS INTENSE. HE IS PRESENTLY TAKING ADVIL OR ALEVE, SOME TYLENOL AND OTHER ACETAMINOPHIN CONTAINING COEDINE AS WELL. NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT IN COMBINATIONS APPROVED BY HIS PHYSICIANS. HE REALLY DOES NOT FEEL THAT THESE MEDICATIONS ARE THE ANSWER AND DEFINITELY DOES NOT WANT TO CONTINUE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE ON THIS TRACK.

WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH SOMEONE OR HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THE TOTAL REPLACEMENT DONE WHO IS NOT A SEDENTARY PERSON.