What is a Shoulder Replacement?
When you get a shoulder replacement, your doctor at Orthocenter removes the damaged parts of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint and replaces them with artificial prosthetics. You can replace only the rounded head of the arm bone (the ball) or you can replace both the ball and the socket, which is in the shoulder blade.
Why Might I Need a Shoulder Replacement?
You may need a shoulder replacement when osteoarthritis wears down the cartilage that covers bones in the joint. Cartilage allows bones to move smoothly, but as it degenerates, bones rub against one another, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation. The condition progressively worsens until a joint replacement is the only treatment option to relieve pain and restore motion.
Inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis gradually erodes the bone, ultimately causing enough damage to require a joint replacement.
If you sustain a severe shoulder fracture that shatters the upper arm bone, your doctor may not be able to restore all the pieces. Additionally, the blood supply may be so interrupted that the bone won’t heal even if it’s repaired. As a result, replacing the ball may be the only treatment option.
Finally, a condition called avascular necrosis can lead to a shoulder replacement. This is a condition in which blood supply to the joint is disrupted and bone cells die.
How is My Shoulder Replacement Surgery Performed?
The team of orthopedic surgeons at Orthocenter offer two replacement procedures:
- Total Shoulder Replacement: During a total shoulder replacement, the upper arm is replaced with a metal ball attached to a stem. The stem is cemented into the center of the arm bone, securing the new ball. Then the socket is replaced with a plastic prosthetic that’s permanently attached to the shoulder blade using bone cement. This type of shoulder replacement works well when your rotator cuff is healthy and intact, allowing your shoulder joint to be functionally restored.
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement: If your rotator cuff is severely torn or damaged or you had a previous shoulder replacement that failed, your orthopedic surgeon at Orthocenter may recommend a reverse total shoulder replacement. During a reverse total shoulder replacement, the ball and socket are switched. The metal ball is attached to the socket (in the shoulder blade), while a plastic socket is cemented to the upper arm bone. This procedure gives you the ability to use your deltoid muscles instead of the rotator cuff muscles to lift your arm.
If you have ongoing shoulder pain and limited movement despite treatment, call Orthocenter or book an appointment online.
