Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Your shoulder joint is responsible for facilitating key movements in your everyday life, such as brushing your teeth or eating food. When shoulder pain stemming from wear and tear or tendon disorders becomes unbearable, your doctor may recommend shoulder replacement surgery.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our qualified, highly-experienced shoulder specialists can help you achieve the relief you need with shoulder replacement surgery. The procedure has proven to be highly effective and can restore mobility and reduce pain in the shoulder joint . Our team will work alongside you at every step of your surgery and help you to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan that will allow you to get back to normal activity and pain-free movement.
If you’re ready to get back to your normal routine without the distraction of shoulder pain, schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.
Shoulder replacement can be a wonderful treatment option in the appropriately selected patient. Under the guidance of a shoulder specialist, you can rest assured your care is among the best. Our physicians trained in shoulder replacement and is the area expert in this field. Make an appointment online or over the phone with our physicians to determine if shoulder replacement is right for you.
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FAQs on Shoulder Replacement Surgery
When is shoulder replacement recommended?
Shoulder replacement is an increasingly common operation in the United States and is a large part of our practice. The technology for shoulder replacement has improved vastly in recent years and is increasingly used for different forms of shoulder problems. Although not nearly common as hip or knee replacement, shoulder replacement can be equally effective at improving pain and function of the shoulder when other nonsurgical methods have been ineffective.
The most common shoulder problems requiring shoulder replacement are wear and tear of the shoulder joint known as osteoarthritis and other tendon disorders that are beyond repair. These conditions become more common as patients age, although can be seen in younger patients as well. Our physicians will carefully review your condition and X-rays with you and discuss what options would be most appropriate in your specific case.
What are the different types of shoulder replacement?
Shoulder replacement is performed through a cut in the front of the shoulder that is a few inches long. There are two forms of shoulder replacement and each is utilized for different conditions.
The first (and historically only) type of shoulder replacement is called a total shoulder replacement where the arthritic bones of the ball and socket are resurfaced with a metal ball and a plastic socket. This improves pain and motion in the previously arthritic joint. To work correctly, this type of shoulder replacement is entirely dependent on the rotator cuff or series of tendons that hold and contain the metal ball in alignment within the socket.
The second and newer type of shoulder replacement is called a reverse replacement which has become available only more recently in America and was initially performed exclusively in France. This replacement flips or inverts the parts so that the plastic socket is located on the arm (humerus) bone and the ball is placed on the previous (glenoid) socket. The function of this replacement does not depend on the small shoulder tendons and has revolutionized the treatment for arthritic conditions with a dysfunctional or irreparable rotator cuff. Our physicians specialize in reverse (and conventional total) replacement and is active in improving the design of the instruments and implants as well as in the education of other surgeons who are learning the technology.
What is the recovery after a shoulder replacement like?
Most patients go home following shoulder replacement after a brief hospital stay, although improvements in post-surgical pain management have allowed some patients to leave the surgical facility the same day. Nerve “blocks” which are administered by the anesthesiologist to deaden the pain are very effective following surgery. The recovery typically involves a sling for several weeks, during which time the tissues heal and the surgical pain improves. Within a few days patients can resume showering and simple daily activities with the hand, and physical therapy is started while the sling is worn. Most of the pain improvement is achieved within a few weeks of surgery, which can be surprisingly fast for many patients. There are subtle improvements in pain and use of the arm up to 6 months and beyond.
What are the risks of shoulder replacement?
As with any operation, there are several risks involved but our physicians, your anesthesiologist, and the surgical facility go to great lengths to minimize these risks to make them very infrequent. Our physicians will review the risks of surgery in detail with you and the steps that are done to minimize each risk. Do not hesitate to ask questions at your consultation to ensure they are answered to your satisfaction.