Reverse shoulder replacement can help you get back to doing a number of activities without pain. Tasks that once proved painful or impossible – like reaching to a high shelf or swinging a golf club – can be possible once again following your surgery and rehabilitation period. Many patients love their newfound function and mobility, but that doesn’t mean they can do any and all activities without restriction. In today’s blog, we explore some restrictions or limitations you may have following your reverse shoulder replacement procedure.
Limitations After Reverse Shoulder Replacement
The reverse shoulder replacement procedure inverts the position of the ball and socket joint, which not only helps to restore motion to the shoulder, but this reversal also improves joint stability, especially in patients who are dealing with arthritis or rotation cuff damage that could impact their ability to regain stability with a standard replacement procedure. With that said, your surgeon will likely go over some restrictions and limitations that you’ll have to keep in mind to ensure you don’t cause problems for your new artificial joint. Here’s a look at some of those restrictions:
- Lifting – Most shoulder surgeons will tell you that heavy lifting on an artificial shoulder should be avoided. Oftentimes it is recommended that you do not lift more than 25 pounds with your new shoulder, but your surgeon can give you a specific lifting restriction based on your procedure and overall health.
- Overhead Activities – You’re going to be able to reach over your head to grab something off the top shelf, but you may be told to limit or avoid certain overhead activities like overhead lifting exercises, painting a ceiling or some sports with forceful overhead motions. Overhead reaching is usually fine in small doses, but if it becomes intense or repetitive, it can cause problems for your new shoulder.
- Internal Rotation – Internal rotation movements may prove a little challenging even after your reverse shoulder replacement. This is the motion of moving your arm inward, across your body, which is what we do when we reach for our wallet in our back pocket, or we try to tuck our shirt in behind our back. There’s a good chance you have less pain when you try to perform these maneuvers than prior to your operation, but the movement will still be a little restricted given the position of your new artificial shoulder joint.
- High Impact Or Contact Sports – You’ll want to talk with your surgeon to understand exactly what type of athletic activities you’ll be clear to engage in once you’ve completed your rehab. Competitive tennis or racquetball may be out of the question, but golf and Pickleball may be just fine so long as you’ve rehabbed well in the months that follow your surgery. Your doctor will be your best resource for which athletic activities you can and cannot pursue after reverse shoulder replacement.
You’re going to regain a lot of strength and function in your new shoulder following a reverse replacement procedure, but knowing your limitations will be key to preserving the health of your new joint and remaining pain-free for years to come. Dr. Holloway and his team have helped countless patients get back to the activities they love following a shoulder replacement procedure, and we can do the same for you if that proves to be the optimal care route. For more information, connect with Dr. Holloway’s team today at (865) 410-7887.
