United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

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?

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

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.

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

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,

Jodie

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