What is Shoulder Joint Replacement?

Shoulder replacement surgery is a procedure aiming to relieve the pain and dysfunction in your shoulder. It replaces damaged parts of the shoulder joint with artificial components called prosthesis. The procedure is intended to improve your strength, range of motion and enable you to use your shoulder and arm.

Shoulder replacements are a common procedure for individuals who have suffered from a torn rotator cuff, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), or other condition resulting in pain and dysfunction of the shoulder joint.

Who is eligible for Shoulder Joint Replacement?

There are many reasons for scheduling a shoulder replacement procedure. If you're suffering from rotator cuff tears, bursitis, arthritis, or other joint issues, a shoulder replacement may benefit you.

Both a complex and relatively common joint, the shoulder is subject to a variety of problems including dislocation, tears and inflammation. Severe shoulder pain to moderate pain while resting, loss of motion and weakness in the shoulder.In order for it to function properly, it requires support from a wide range of muscles and ligaments many of which can be damaged or worn over time making performance more painful and further injuries more likely. While many other treatments exist, shoulder replacement is one of the most effective means of treating this condition.

There are two main types of joint replacement procedures: partial joint replacement and total joint replacement. Procedures range from non-invasive alternatives to traditional surgery, to less invasive cementless total shoulder reconstruction and advanced minimally invasive partial shoulder joint replacement.

What are the tests and diagnosis Shoulder Joint Replacement?

After undergoing an examination, you will be given a recommendation for treatment. If your doctor reasonably believes that surgery is the appropriate treatment. In addition, your surgeon may recommend diagnostic imaging studies, such as x-rays or CT images.

Your surgeon will then discuss with you the best treatment option to relieve your pain and improve your function and create a detailed plan explaining the types of procedures they will undertake during the procedure, what risks you will face, and how much it will cost.

Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgical procedure

Based on the severity of the rotator cuff tear, your surgeon may recommend either anatomic total shoulder replacement or reverse total shoulder replacement. Anatomic total shoulder replacement involves replacing both the ball and socket of the joint. Reverse total shoulder replacement involves replacing the ball of the joint (attaching it to the top of your upper arm bone) and leaving the socket intact (attaching it to your shoulder blade). This option typically is preferred if there's a small tear in your rotator cuff. Partial shoulder replacement may be recommended if you just have damage to the socket side of your joint.

What are the risks & complications?

Although rare, in some possible cases that shoulder replacement surgery won't lessen your pain or make it go away completely where in the patient has not followed proper care and exercise. In some cases, another surgery may be needed.