A shoulder replacement surgeon performs shoulder replacement surgery to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with the damage or injury to the shoulder joint.
The joint of a shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The upper arm bone’s head is the ball that fits into the socket of the shoulder. Any injury to this joint causes difficulties in moving the joint. The other symptoms may include joint pain, stiffness and weakness.
Shoulder replacement surgery is also known as shoulder arthroplasty. In a shoulder replacement surgical procedure – the damaged shoulder bone is removed. It is replaced with an implant made of metal and plastic. Prosthetic or the implants are available in different sizes and shapes. Both partial and total shoulder replacement options are available.
People who have the following symptoms are the candidates for shoulder replacement surgery:
A special type of stainless-steel ball replaces the damaged humerus ball. The artificial ball is attached to a stem made out of titanium. It helps in keeping the ball attached to the humerus. A polyethylene cup replaces the glenoid socket.
The following conditions can damage the shoulder joint:
Fractures – humerus head fractures or fractures in the upper part of the humerus can result due to an injury or due to the failure of the prior fracture fixation.
Rotator cuff injuries – A group of muscles and tendons that support the shoulder joint are known as rotator cuff muscles. An injury to these muscles can also damage the bone and cartilage of the shoulder joint.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint – This type of arthritis is a wear-and-tear type as it damages the cartilage at the end of bones in the joints.
Osteonecrosis – Certain shoulder conditions can cause obstruction in the blood flow to the humerus. When a bone is starved of blood, it collapses.
Inflammatory disorders and rheumatoid arthritis – These conditions can cause inflammation – which in turn damages the cartilage and the underlying bone of the shoulder joint.
Your shoulder surgeon may recommend a particular type of procedure based on the type of shoulder joint damage you have. The following are some of the shoulder replacement options:
Partial shoulder replacement – In this type your shoulder surgeon replaces only the ball (head) of the shoulder joint. It is preferred when only the ball is damaged.
Anatomic total shoulder replacement – This type of replacement is common. In this type, both the ball and socket of the joint are replaced by implants that look quite similar to the natural bone.
Reverse total shoulder replacement: In this type also both the shoulder joint’s ball and socket are replaced, but their positions are reversed. In the place of the upper arm’s bone’s ball end – socket is attached and the ball is attached to the shoulder blade. Doctors recommend this procedure when rotator gets severely damaged.
The surgery usually takes two hours. The patient will rest and wait in the recovery area for a short time. Doctors obtain X-rays and the patient rests without moving his/her shoulder. Hospital stay may depend on the type of surgery and needs of the patient. In most cases, patients leave the hospital within a day or two.
Many people report reduction in pain compared to what they experienced prior to surgery. They also show improvement in the strength and a range of shoulder joint motions. As the days pass, they feel quite normal without experiencing any pain.