Prakash Joshi Prakash Joshi Asked 4 months ago

How long does pain last after reverse shoulder replacement?

My father recently had a reverse shoulder replacement and is recovering. He's asking about the pain management. How long does pain last after reverse shoulder replacement, usually?

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7 answers

Amit Shah Amit Shah Joined Feb 2026 4 months ago
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I was looking this up for my grandfather who might need this surgery soon. From what I have read, the sharp surgical pain starts to settle down in about 3 to 4 weeks, but complete recovery and getting strength back takes around 3 to 6 months.

Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

Honestly, the shoulder pain itself starts improving in a month, but sleeping with that arm sling for weeks is the real test of patience! I haven't had a full night of sleep in weeks. Just prop yourself up with plenty of pillows.

Rakesh Yadav Rakesh Yadav Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

Look, it is a major shoulder joint replacement, so do not expect to be pain-free in a few days. The soreness will stay for at least 6 weeks. Keep using the sling as told and don't try to lift heavy things in a hurry.

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Sanjay Kapoor Sanjay Kapoor Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Getting older means replacing parts, I guess! My friend had this done and said the first two weeks were quite painful. He spent most of his time trying to find a comfortable angle to sleep in, but things got much better after a month.

Sunita Rao Sunita Rao Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

The initial 3 weeks were emotionally very difficult for me because the lack of mobility made me feel so helpless. The pain was quite intense, but it slowly started to ease up around the one-month mark. Please stay patient, it gets much easier soon.

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Usha Kiran Usha Kiran Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

The main healing pain takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Having thyroid issues has taught me that the body heals slower when hormones are off, so do get your regular blood tests done. Always keep your doctor in the loop about your healing progress.

Ramesh Nair Ramesh Nair Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Post-operative pain following a reverse shoulder replacement typically reduces significantly within 4 to 6 weeks. However, the exact recovery timeline depends on your bone quality and rehabilitation compliance. It is best to follow your orthopedic surgeon's specific physical therapy protocol.

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