Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

On 8/3/2025 at 9:21 AM, diyer2 said:

My shoulder has been a PITA. Just to inform all. Surgery Sept 6. 2024 for 2 rotator cuff tears and bicep muscle reattachment to the bone. 

Woke up one night and couldn't use my left arm or hand.

Still have pain and limited use of my hand, plenty of physical therapy.

July 30th cortisone shot in neck for nerve to left shoulder for pain. Helped with the pain but still limited use of hand. 

All I know to do is give it more time. Doctor wants to try another shot of cortisone.

Any update, diyer2?  Did your Doctor(s) make a direct connection between the loss of use of your left hand and your shoulder surgery? Have you regained full use and feeling of your hand?  

[diyer2]

Hey Donstar,

The pain has gone down some, the dexterity has improved a little.

 

Been using a massage gun on the sore muscles and taking gabapentin. I forgot to mention taking this drug. Back to the recovery specialist this week, maybe another cortisone shot in the neck.

[Donstar]

Glad to hear improvement.  It makes sense that this problem with your hand is related to your shoulder surgery but it possibly could have been something else. Here is what happened to me a couple of years ago: I typically sleep on my right side and went through a period of time when some mornings I'd wake up to a right arm that was slow to wake up.  It would take about 5 minutes before normal function.  One morning the temporary numbness in my hand didn't entirely go away.  I could eventually move my hand normally but had very little feeling.  I wouldn't be able to find my keys in my right pocket!  My Doctor sent me for various tests and one tester recommended a brain scan.  The MRI revealed I had a stroke and the loss of feeling had nothing to do with my sleep or my arthritic back and shoulders.  The recent surgery on my left shoulder was actually very therapeutic for my right hand.  It did the job while the other was in a sling but I'm glad to have my left hand back for the finer work!

[customboss]

Double Hip replacement soon. Starting with left. Finally some real

non drug pain relief. 

[customboss]

18 hours ago, Donstar said:

The MRI revealed I had a stroke and the loss of feeling had nothing to do with my sleep or my arthritic back and shoulders. 

The brain “ keeps the score”  . Well that’s illuminating. Great find and explains more for your recovery. 
 

[garagerog]

1 hour ago, customboss said:

Double Hip replacement soon. Starting with left. Finally some real

non drug pain relief. 

Do you know what brand of artificial hips you'll be receiving? I had double replacement in 2007 and the 2 common ones at the time were Stryker and Zimmer. My surgeon used Zimmer and they've held up so far. The anterior replacement procedure they now use as opposed to the thru the buttocks that I had promotes a quicker recovery and you don't lose the muscle mass and strength in your legs that I've had. Anyway the pain was gone, first procedure was in March 2007, second in Sept. of the same year, full recovery by mid-Nov. 2007.

[customboss]

25 minutes ago, garagerog said:

Do you know what brand of artificial hips you'll be receiving? I had double replacement in 2007 and the 2 common ones at the time were Stryker and Zimmer. My surgeon used Zimmer and they've held up so far. The anterior replacement procedure they now use as opposed to the thru the buttocks that I had promotes a quicker recovery and you don't lose the muscle mass and strength in your legs that I've had. Anyway the pain was gone, first procedure was in March 2007, second in Sept. of the same year, full recovery by mid-Nov. 2007.

Thanks Rog.

 

Not sure but think I saw mini hip joints demonstrators that said Zimmer but there was a Stryker there too. 
I was allowed by VA  ( thanks TACO!) to go to our only Ortho surgeon for 7 counties here in San Luis Valley. Yahoo ! 

 

She bought a ranch and moved here 20 years ago. A rare opportunity for us scum’s living away from normal Colorado. 
 

She did my caretakers knees and was exceptional. 
 

 

 

[customboss]

5 hours ago, garagerog said:

Do you know what brand of artificial hips you'll be receiving? I had double replacement in 2007 and the 2 common ones at the time were Stryker and Zimmer. My surgeon used Zimmer and they've held up so far. The anterior replacement procedure they now use as opposed to the thru the buttocks that I had promotes a quicker recovery and you don't lose the muscle mass and strength in your legs that I've had. Anyway the pain was gone, first procedure was in March 2007, second in Sept. of the same year, full recovery by mid-Nov. 2007.

Depuy brand joints. 

[99silveradoz71]

Mom had a hip done earlier this year via the anterior and so far so good.

[Donstar]

It never occurred to me to ask about the brand of parts used to replace my shoulder.  I know they weren't OEM!  

[Donstar]

I phoned my 101 year old aunt yesterday and she was not feeling well.  She had just returned from the urgent care clinic and was given antibiotics for an infection.  Otherwise she checked out well and the medication should clear up her issue in a few days.  My aunt thinks she might start looking for a senior living home as she is finding it harder to care for herself and maintain her apartment especially when she is not feeling well!  I'm in my early 70's and future plans are significantly influenced by my age.  I look to the future knowing that I could possibly have many years left.  I can still consider such things as a new house, car, RV etc. My aunt is enjoying a full and active life but she knows statistically the limits of her future.  Our senior years have challenges and getting close to maximum life expectancy is something I've never witnessed this close.  I want to live past 100 but don't want to be there!

[Donstar]

Yesterday marked two months since I had shoulder replacement surgery. Recovery is steady but I still have months before  full use.  I have a neighbour who was recommended for shoulder replacement over a year ago and is choosing to postpone.  He is otherwise in good shape for a man in his late 70's.  I definitely appreciate the time commitment to shoulder replacement surgery but there is never a better time to have one than when first offered, imo.  Age and other health factors can make you ineligible in the future.  If arthritis is the culprit for destroying the joint needing replacement, there is likely another joint  waiting to give you trouble.   I've recently met two other seniors who didn't choose joint replacement when offered.  Both no longer have the option.  Three months ago I was managing fine with my "bad" arm and wanted something done about my knee.  My surgeon explained to me how two functioning shoulders will assist in recovery for when I have my knee(s) replaced!  I had my shoulder replaced because of my sore knees!    

[customboss]

On 8/16/2025 at 3:46 AM, Donstar said:

I phoned my 101 year old aunt yesterday and she was not feeling well.  She had just returned from the urgent care clinic and was given antibiotics for an infection.  Otherwise she checked out well and the medication should clear up her issue in a few days.  My aunt thinks she might start looking for a senior living home as she is finding it harder to care for herself and maintain her apartment especially when she is not feeling well!  I'm in my early 70's and future plans are significantly influenced by my age.  I look to the future knowing that I could possibly have many years left.  I can still consider such things as a new house, car, RV etc. My aunt is enjoying a full and active life but she knows statistically the limits of her future.  Our senior years have challenges and getting close to maximum life expectancy is something I've never witnessed this close.  I want to live past 100 but don't want to be there!

The reality is as we age we become more dependent and few can accept or prepare for that reality. Your aunt is lucky she has loved ones like you to look at for her. Advocacy is important even in high quality care facilities. I always enjoyed Stan @KARNUT sharing his oversight of his father and mother in law. 

[customboss]

22 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Yesterday marked two months since I had shoulder replacement surgery. Recovery is steady but I still have months before  full use.  I have a neighbour who was recommended for shoulder replacement over a year ago and is choosing to postpone.  He is otherwise in good shape for a man in his late 70's.  I definitely appreciate the time commitment to shoulder replacement surgery but there is never a better time to have one than when first offered, imo.  Age and other health factors can make you ineligible in the future.  If arthritis is the culprit for destroying the joint needing replacement, there is likely another joint  waiting to give you trouble.   I've recently met two other seniors who didn't choose joint replacement when offered.  Both no longer have the option.  Three months ago I was managing fine with my "bad" arm and wanted something done about my knee.  My surgeon explained to me how two functioning shoulders will assist in recovery for when I have my knee(s) replaced!  I had my shoulder replaced because of my sore knees!    

Exactly why at 65 my hips will be replaced. 

[Donstar]

2 hours ago, customboss said:

Exactly why at 65 my hips will be replaced. 

A close friend had her second hip done a few months back.  Absolutely remarkable improvement in her mobility, happiness and overall well-being!  Wish (and expect) the same for you!