How Painful Is a Shoulder Replacement?
Most people who decide to have any joint replaced do it to reduce their pain and regain mobility. Otherwise, you would just live with it and try to relieve the symptoms. Sometimes there can be lasting pain after a joint replacement surgery. How painful is a shoulder replacement?
Who Are Candidates for a Shoulder Replacement?
About 53,000 people have shoulder replacement surgery each year in the US. A shoulder replacement may be recommended if you have severe osteoarthritis or a fracture in the shoulder joint. Shoulder replacement surgery might be advised by a shoulder specialist for you and for those patients that experience severe pain but have not gotten relief from any other treatments.
Common reasons for shoulder replacement are:
- Having weakness or limited range of motion in the shoulder
- Severe pain that gets in the way of daily life and activities
- Pain even while at rest or sleeping
- Minimal or no improvement after medications, injections, and physical therapy
- You find it hard to lift your arm over your head
What to Expect After Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Most patients remain in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours before they are discharged. Most likely you will be sent home with a brace or sling so you are unable to move your shoulder just yet.
Your shoulder will swell and you will receive meds for the pain. Cold compresses are best to reduce swelling.
You will begin physical therapy almost immediately to increase range of motion and endurance. You will continue physical therapy at home to improve the function of your new shoulder joint.
It could take one month before you can pick up anything heavier than a glass of water.
It might take 6 weeks or more before you can drive.
Unfortunately, you will find that immediatley after shoulder replacement surgery you will have more pain than before which will last for several weeks post surgery. You will need to endure this extra pain to get to the finish line. It will take approximately two weeks post surgery before the pain will begin to decrease. The pain will gradually become less, and by the second month, most patients are seeing daylight and happy they had the surgery.
A Word of Caution
You may be prescribed opioids for pain. They can become addictive so only use them as directed by your shoulder surgeon. As you notice improvement in your pain, stop using the opioids.
Contact shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH at (425) 823-4000 if you have severe shoulder pain that is affecting your daily activities in the Seattle area. You may alternatively request an appointment through our secure online form. Dr. Koo sees patients from Seattle, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, and the surrounding areas.