Total Shoulder Replacement
Annually, more than 50,000 people in the US will return to their active lifestyle after having shoulder replacement surgery. The shoulder specialists with SSM Health Orthopedics have helped many people regain pain-free mobility with their proven experience and expertise in both total and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
If shoulder pain is keeping you from doing the things you love, download our Guide to Treating Shoulder Pain to learn how we can help you find relief from your pain.
Who Needs Shoulder Replacement?
Often therapy or medication can alleviate joint pain for a period of time. But, when your pain progresses to the point that alternative treatments are no longer effective, your doctor may recommend joint replacement. Even though this is a major surgery and typically the last option for treating chronic shoulder pain, shoulder replacement does have a proven success rate.
Surgical Procedures We Offer
Determining which procedure is right for you depends on several factors. Your physician will examine your shoulder and the surrounding tissue and discuss which approach will produce the best outcome. There are two approaches to shoulder replacement: total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Total shoulder replacement surgery requires removing a small amount of bone in the shoulder socket and at the top of the arm bone. A specialized plastic cup is inserted into the shoulder socket and acts as smooth, healthy cartilage against a metal ball and stem that is placed in the humerus. The ligaments around the shoulder are left intact and protected during the operation to provide stability to the joint after the shoulder replacements are in place.
The surgery takes approximately one to two hours and in most cases, requires a one to two day hospital stay. Most patients are out of bed and beginning therapy the day after surgery. Within one month after shoulder replacement, most people return to driving and regular activities as they regain their strength and endurance.
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
If the muscles in the shoulder have been damaged due to a rotator cuff tear or injury, you might not qualify for traditional shoulder replacement. In this case, a reverse shoulder replacement might be more appropriate. In a reverse shoulder replacement, the metal ball is placed in the shoulder socket, and the plastic cup is placed at the top of the humerus, allowing the arm bone to rotate freely around the shoulder socket. Your surgeon will discuss which personalized approach will offer you the best outcome.
Living without shoulder pain is possible with help from SSM Health Orthopedics. Our team of physicians, nurses, and therapists works together to ensure your comfort and safety from your first office appointment through rehabilitation and recovery. Schedule an appointment today and find out how we can help relieve your shoulder pain and get you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible.