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Anatomic Total Shoulder Replacement for Arthritis

To help you discuss total shoulder replacement surgery as a treatment option for your shoulder injury with your orthopedic surgeon, here’s a breakdown of this surgical procedure.

Arthritis of the shoulder can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint. The condition is treated by removing the damaged articulating parts and replacing them with prostheses. 

What Is Shoulder Joint Replacement?

Arthritis of the shoulder can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint. Shoulder replacement surgery is performed to relieve symptoms of severe shoulder pain and disability due to arthritis. In this surgery, the damaged articulating parts of the shoulder joint are removed and replaced with artificial prostheses. 

Shoulder replacement surgery can be performed as an open surgery, where a large incision is made, or minimally invasive, where small incisions are made to insert an arthroscope (a thin tube with a camera and light source) and surgical tools. 

Total shoulder joint replacement surgery is recommended for conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when medication, injections, physical therapy, and activity changes do not help relieve pain. Your doctor recommends surgery when you have the following symptoms:

  • Severe shoulder pain that restricts daily activities
  • Moderate to severe pain during rest
  • Weakness and/or loss of motion

How Is Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery Performed? 

Shoulder joint replacement surgery is performed by orthopedic surgeons according to the following procedure:

  • The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision over the affected shoulder and the underlying muscles are separated to expose the shoulder joint. 
  • The surgeon separates the upper arm bone (humerus) from the glenoid socket of the shoulder bone, cuts the damaged or arthritic humeral head, and hollows out the humerus bone and fills it with cement.
  • The surgeon gently press-fits a metal ball with a stem into the humerus. 
  • The surgeon prepares the arthritic part of the socket and fixes the plastic glenoid component into the shoulder bone.
  • The surgeon implants the artificial component, stitches the joint capsule, and closes the wound.

What Happens After Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery? 

Following shoulder joint replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon will prescribe medications to control pain as needed, and antibiotics to prevent infection. 

The patient’s arm may be secured in a sling or cast. The patient will start physical therapy soon after the surgery to strengthen and provide mobility to the shoulder. The patient may be able to perform gentle daily activities two to six weeks after surgery. 

What Are the Risks and Complications of Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery?

As with any surgery, some of the potential risks and complications of shoulder joint replacement surgery may include bleeding, infection, pain, swelling, wear and tear of the prosthesis, and damage to the bones or surrounding soft tissues.

Wear and tear of the shoulder can result in debilitating pain that wears you down. Don’t let your day-to-day life become a daily grind. Let us help relieve your pain with shoulder replacement surgery.