Total Shoulder Replacement is a surgical procedure to treat severe arthritis of the shoulder joint. Surgery relieves the shoulder pain by replacing the arthritic bone and cartilage with an implant.
Symptoms of Severe Shoulder Arthritis:
- Pain with motion
- Restricted range of motion
- Stiffness or swelling of the shoulder joint
- Grinding or sticking within the shoulder joint
Treatment Options Prior to Surgery:
- Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications
- Prescription pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Restriction of activity
Non-surgical treatment methods can successfully alleviate the discomfort in some cases. In cases where these methods fail to provide relief from discomfort and disability, a total shoulder replacement may be considered.
During shoulder replacement surgery an incision is made on the front of the shoulder. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, similar to the hip joint. The ball is the top of the humerus and the socket is located within the scapula. Shoulder replacement surgery will involve removing the ball and replacing it with an implant. A plastic socket is cemented to the scapula to replace the socket portion of the arthritic joint.
Following surgery a sling may be worn for 24 hours, after which time patients will be encouraged to use their arm for light tasks such as brushing teeth and eating. In the weeks following surgery the patient will perform a variety of exercises to improve their range of motion. Most patients may resume sports activities in approximately six to eight weeks.
