Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement surgery (also known as arthroplasty), is performed when orthopedic problem occurs in shoulder joint and treatment is required due to severe arthritis of the shoulder joint. Arthritis in shoulder does affect cartilage of the shoulder joints. Due to some causes, ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder becomes poor and causing that persistent pain can be experienced that is usually not controlled by non-surgical therapy. Through the total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or shoulder replacement surgery, patient not only receives pain relief but also gets benefit of restoring motion, strength, and comfortable function of shoulder. Similar to other joint replacement procedures, this surgery also involves replacing the humeral head (the top of the arm bone or joint "ball") and the glenoid (called the "socket") with artificial durable component. Surgery of shoulder replacement is performed during many other painful conditions of the shoulder such as- osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rotator cuff tear(a combination of severe arthritis and a massive non-reparable rotator cuff tendon tear), avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis), failed previous shoulder replacement surgery.

Some symptoms can be experienced due to shoulder arthritis such as- pain with activities, limited range of motion, stiffness of the shoulder, swelling of the joint, tenderness around the joint and a feeling of grinding or catching within the joint. There are different types of treatment for shoulder replacements. Usually the total shoulder replacement involves replacing the arthritic joint surfaces with an extremely polished metal ball attached to a stem, and a plastic socket.

The surgery of shoulder replacement is performed on an inpatient basis where commonly general anesthesia is used for the comfort of patient. Prior to the surgery, series of standard x-rays are taken followed by a CT scan and MRI test to determine the situation of the shoulder joint and to assess bone quality as well as the condition of important adjoining structures such as the rotator cuff tendon. At the beginning of surgery, surgeon makes a three- to four-inch incision along the space between the arm and the collarbone. After that the arthritic humeral head in the joint is removed and any bone spurs are filed off the socket. Depending on the condition of the glenoid socket, only the humeral head may have to be replaced. Prosthesis are made from metal and formed to fit rightly in the glenoid socket. After the removal of arthritic sections, the surgeon inserts the implant socket, ball, and stem components. Thereafter surgeon closes and stitches the rotator cuff muscle and cleans the incision.

The surgery usually takes about two to three hours. Patient is required to stay at hospital for 1-3 days depending on the condition of patient. Patient can get full recovery with in one complete year. Patient can use active arm movements eight weeks after surgery.