[tops911]

I had a shoulder replacement 2 years ago, I was 54 years old. My shoulder was shot from arthritis. I don't have the constant pain like before but some pain from certain movements or "over use". I was told by the Drs that the longer one waits the harder the recovery is due to muscle loss. Lot of things I could not do before the replacement and stuff I still can't do but I can sleep on my left side now, I could not do that for at least 8 years. Over head work hurts and is limited, can't throw a ball overhand, lifting a gallon of milk with elbow locked to put on top shelf of the frig can hurt. I can also struggle tightening or loosening bolts as I just lost so much strenght from babying my shoulder, I've had to use some pretty long breaker bars and cheater bars. I do limited hammering, no wood chopping as they say the constant "hammering" of the joint is bad. My Dr said to lift no more than 10 lbs with my left arm, which is hard to follow since I'm left handed. The Dr also said I'd be back in about 10 years to get it fixed again as the plastic socket would wear out. I'm trying to baby my shoulder but old habits are hard to break. My physical therapy was disappointing, I expected it to be harder. Over all I think the replacement was worth it.