At SSM DePaul, our orthopedic surgeons specialize in Total Shoulder Joint Replacement surgery. Each patient is cared for by a highly experienced team of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and physical therapists who will guide them from pre-surgery education through post-surgery rehabilitation and recovery.
Who is a candidate?
Shoulder replacement surgery is used to treat a variety of painful conditions including degenerative joint disease, severe arthritis, rotator cuff tears and acute fractures. Patients who have not been able to find adequate relief with non-surgical treatments may be a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery.
Surgery
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is the top of the arm bone (the humerus) and the socket is within the shoulder blade (scapula). This joint allows people a wide range of motion at the shoulder.
Shoulder replacement surgery alleviates pain by replacing the damaged bone and cartilage with a metal and plastic implant. The ball is removed from the top of the humerus and replaced with a metal implant. This is shaped like a half-moon and attached to a stem inserted down the center of the arm bone. The socket portion of the joint is shaved clean and replaced with a plastic socket that is cemented into the scapula.
Shoulder replacement surgery lasts about two hours. The incision for the surgery is along the front of the shoulder joint and usually about four to six inches long. The surgery is most commonly done under general anesthesia.
Recovery
Hospital stays vary from one to three days for most patients. Patients usually start gentle physical therapy on the first day following surgery and will wear an arm sling for several weeks after surgery. You wear the sling at night for 4 to 6 weeks. Most patients are able to perform simple activities such as eating, dressing and grooming within 2 weeks after surgery. Driving a car is not allowed for 6 weeks after surgery.