Shoulder Replacement

Total shoulder arthroplasty, also called total shoulder replacement, replaces the damaged bone in the ball and socket of your shoulder joint with artificial parts. The replacement material could be made from metal, plastic, or both. Total shoulder arthroplasty can decrease or eliminate pain, increase motion and function, and allow you to resume your daily activities that you’ve put off due to shoulder pain.

Causes of shoulder pain include:

• Osteoarthritis – commonly referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis. It damages the cartilage that lubricates the joints to help them move smoothly.
• Rotator cuff disease – a muscle tear or a rundown rotator cuff.
• Fracture – caused by an injury and can result in traumatic arthritis.

What is total shoulder arthroplasty?

A total shoulder replacement doesn’t replace the whole shoulder. The surgeon replaces the ball at the top of the humerus with a metal ball and a plastic surface covers the socket. Total shoulder replacement surgery can relieve pain, improve mobility and increase function. The amount of pain relief and range of motion can’t be predicted because it depends on many factors.

Is total shoulder arthroplasty right for you?

Your physician may recommend a total shoulder replacement when medication and other non-surgical treatment options (such as physical therapy) don’t manage the pain or improve mobility.

Total shoulder replacement is recommended in the following situations:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, changes in lifestyle, or physical therapy do not relieve pain
• Shoulder pain limits the ability to do daily activities, such as putting on a shirt
• Severe stiffness and limited mobility
• Shoulder pain persists even when sleeping or resting

Additional procedures performed at Arizona Specialty Hospital include:

• Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
• Shoulder hemi-arthroplasty
• Total shoulder revision
• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Rotator cuff repair
• Acromial decompression
• Distal clavicle resection