Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
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jodiehodge
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:38 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 02/15/2012-LOBPI

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by jodiehodge »

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to know if any one has had a reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). This surgery was recommended to me by my surgeon. I have LOBPI with elbow flexion and osteoartritis. I am 34 and in pain all the time. All I know is RSA is a relatively new surgery that recently got approved in 2004 by the FDA; however, it is a surgery that has been done for over 20 years overseas. It is typical performed on older patients. I have searched the internet and youtube but none of the patients this surgery has been performed on had a birth injury like myself. I am confident my surgeon knows what he is doing but I am scared. I am terrified of losing anymore function.

Any thoughts?
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by Carolyn J »

Hi Jodie,
Have you ever been evaluated by a BPI Specialist? Some accept video tapes. Please get a 2nd opinion from a BPI Specialist.

Carolyn J
LOBPI/74
jodiehodge
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:38 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 02/15/2012-LOBPI

Re: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by jodiehodge »

Hi Carolyn,

I have been evaluated by Dr. Elhassan at the Mayo Clinic and he is recommending the RSA. He is amazing and so knowledgeable and I know he is a great surgeon but I am terribly scared because if the RSA fails the only option then is fusion.

I just don't know what to do :( ? Who else can I get a second opinion from?

Any other thoughts would be great. Has anyone had an RSA? What was their function and pain level before surgery and what is their function and pain level now?

I am seeing Dr. Elhassan next Friday for another consult. Pray that I make the right choice.
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by Carolyn J »

Ohhhh Jodie, never mind! Dr E is absolutely the BPI SPECIALIST for us adults. He is the best and even I would jump and ask how high if he told me to.. He was going to do a research study on us adults with OBPI's but it is shelved for now. He did a terrific surgery on my friend T in Michigan who is OBPI on Both sides. I'm going to email her your posts. TRUST HIM. I hope you hear from Tina soon.
Hang in there!
HUGS
Carolyn J
LOBPI/74
jodiehodge
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:38 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 02/15/2012-LOBPI

Re: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by jodiehodge »

Thanks Carolyn for the words of encouragement. I really needed that. Thanks to Angela's post last year about Dr. E's study I actually got a chance to participate in it and went to see him last year for an evaluation. Yes, he is fabulous and has even taken the time to communicate with me through out the entire year. I am still so nervous. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get in touch with your friend Tina. I really really want to personally contact someone via phone (if they are willing) as my surgery is quickly coming up in April. I really want to talk to some who has also worked with Dr. E and can at least share their experience from a patient’s point of view.

I love UBPN. Especially for connecting me with Dr. E.

Thanks again and I hope you are able to connect me with Tina, :D

Jodie
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Post by Carolyn J »

Jodie,
I sent you a private message with Tina's phone number because she emailed me that she can't get on this UBPN website and besides it is hard for her to type now...it's best to talk.
You can access your private messages on your "User Control Panel ".
Hugs,
Carolyn J
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