Shoulder Surgery - Version 3.0

A couple of people have emailed and asked what - exactly - am I having done this time around and why.

For those reading this as a stand alone post, here is some history. I have had a total shoulder replacement on my left side about 4 years ago, and a partial shoulder replacement (resurfacing) on my right side about two years ago. My right shoulder is in a reasonable amount of pain and with reduced function and range of motion for the past 4-5 months. Back to our regularly scheduled broadcast.

The short answer is I'm having a bone graft. They will take irradiated cadaver bone, crush it up and pack it into my glenoid cavity (socket) and stitch me back up again. A few potential complications, of course. When opening me up, I already have some hardware in my joint as pictured below.

Implants like this do not just "pop" out, as it is secured with bone cement. It wasn't really intended to come out 23 months after it was put in. For a successful surgery it come out to ensure that there is enough room for the surgeon to operate. There is a possibility that it may not come out cleanly, and I will need to have another - larger - implant inserted. I don't really want that, but I may not have a choice. I've been of the opinion that the longer I can keep my natural bone, the better off I will be as I am fairly confident that this will not be my last surgery on this shoulder.

I am about nine sleeps away from surgery. I am starting to feel anxious, emotional and downright afraid. This is fairly major surgery. While I am generally flip with strangers about my disease and my struggles, not the case when all the bravado is stripped away.

I'm trying to listen to happy music this week. I've recently found Grouplove - and this song puts a smile on my face. I've got a "Ways to go" to surgery - but only a little bit longer.