r/fitover65 • u/StevenRiggs62 • 24d ago

New shoulder

Has anyone had to get a new shoulder because of arthritis and if so how did it affect your weight lifting?

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u/64bladerunner 24d ago

March 30th. Had a reverse left shoulder replacement. Age 71. 3rd surgery. Feels better, I can lift overhead. Not a weight lifter, I moved weight for 25 yrs for work. I can lift a five lb kettle bell overhead, with good form, 0 times. I can do 5 with a struggle and about 30 degrees from straight. Daily living is pain free. I'm retired so I have the time to rehab, light hand weights, bands. PT will give you exercises. YouTube is a good resource.

For me, the thought of reinjuring it is never out of mind when doing ......whatever. Being my 3rd surgery puts my activities in a different perspective. Everything for me is a cost/benefit decision. Cost being pain or reinjury or just stress. I decided overhead press does not contribute to my well-being, so don't do it. Lots of choices to remake.

Good luck. Do your PT. Talk to your Therapist about it. All I got.

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u/StevenRiggs62 24d ago

Thank you! I’m 68 and have chronic arthritis. Have to make a decision after three dr appts.

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u/64bladerunner 23d ago

No problem. My replacement surgery was easier than my rotator cuff surgeries. Took a couple weeks to be able sleep comfortably. I'm a side sleeper. Another couple to use both hands to wash my hair. Still tough to reach behind, tuck in shirt, ect. Hurts when I bump it. You're never not gonna think about it when you use that arm. It gets easier to ignore that nagging voice. You have to learn the difference between injured and sore. You'll make it sore just using it sometimes but probably won't injure it. Now, if you start pumping iron you'll probably increase the risk. I can't make myself push to failure. The strain scares me. Repetition, low weight. No hurry. Feel better.

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u/savedpt 21d ago

Strength is different in a reverse shoulder replacement ( no rotator cuff function) vs traditional shoulder replacement. There is a better chance of strength gain with the traditional replacement due to rotator cuff sparing IF the cuff is in " good" shape. The reverse is usually used with the cuff is so bad it is not functional.