About Shoulder Replacement Surgery

 

Shoulder replacement surgery is an option for treating arthritis or rotator cuff loss in the shoulder joint.

 

Causes

 

Shoulder replacement surgery can be used to treat pain stemming from a variety of injuries and conditions. These include:

 

  • Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease): A condition in which the cartilage surrounding the bones of the shoulder joint wears down, allowing the bones to rub against each other, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss in range of motion. Osteoarthritis is most common in people aged 50 and older, but can occur in younger patients, too.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: A condition in which the the membrane surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickened, causing damage to cartilage and leading to pain and stiffness.
  • Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: This condition may develop in patients with substantial and long-standing rotator cuff tears, and can lead to the inability to use the shoulder and lift it overhead.  This is called pseudoparalysis..
  • Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): This condition occurs when the blood flow to a joint is disrupted, which can lead to arthritis and damage to the joint.
  • Severe Fractures: In some very severe cases, a fracture of the shoulder may warrant a shoulder replacement surgery. This is most common in older patients, especially those with osteoporosis.

 

Are you a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery?

 

Shoulder replacement surgery is a viable option for many cases of chronic pain and lack of mobility in the shoulder. It is essential to be evaluated by a qualified orthopedic doctor in order to make an informed decision, but some general signs that a shoulder replacement could be an option include:

 

  • Severe, chronic pain that impacts quality of life and inhibits everyday activities, like dressing, reaching for an overhead shelf, or driving
  • Restlessness or loss of sleep due to pain or stiffness
  • Reduced range of motion or weakness of the shoulder

 

These symptoms may be improved by a shoulder replacement, or they may be better addressed using medication, physical therapy, injections, or other minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures - it is important to visit an orthopedic doctor for an individual assessment if you experience the above symptoms.

 

About the procedure

 

There are two types of shoulder replacement procedures offered at OSMC: Total Shoulder Replacement and Reverse Shoulder Replacement.

 

In a total shoulder replacement, the arthritic joint surfaces are replaced with a highly polished metal ball, anchored to the humerus (upper arm) bone, and a plastic socket, anchored to the glenoid (shoulder) bone.

 

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A reverse total shoulder replacement switches the placement of the ball component and the socket component. In the reverse procedure, the ball is anchored to the glenoid, and the socket is anchored to the humerus. This variation is often used for patients who have severe rotator cuff damage, and allows the patient to use the deltoid muscle to lift the arm when the rotator cuff is absent, damaged, or not functional.

 

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Recovery

 

Shoulder replacement surgery typically involves a hospital stay of at least one night. Your doctor and nurses will monitor your recovery and may administer antibiotics to prevent infections. You and your doctor will discuss options for pain management in the days and weeks immediately following the procedure.

 

Recovery from a shoulder replacement is a process that lasts several months and calls for a well-planned rehabilitation program. This will likely involve physical therapy as well as at-home exercises.

 

Schedule a consultation

 

If you or a loved one are experiencing chronic pain and lack of mobility in the shoulder, to the degree that it impacts quality of life, please schedule a consultation to speak with one of our orthopedic surgeons. The symptoms may or may not require a shoulder replacement procedure, but the first step to recovery is evaluation by a doctor.