Are you a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery?
Shoulder replacement surgery is typically used for patients with pain, a limited range of motion in the shoulder, and significant pain. The surgical procedure may be done alone or in combination with other procedures.
The indications for shoulder arthroplasty include:
- Painful arthritis of the shoulder joint
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Fractures of the shoulder
- Osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff arthropathies
- Osteonecrosis (Avascular necrosis)
Shoulder arthroplasty surgery can also be performed when other conservative treatment methods have failed, including pain medications, physical therapy, injections, and others.
There are also specific indications for each procedure. For instance:
- Total shoulder replacement surgery: It is typically advised when patients have intact rotator cuff tendons and if they suffer from severe arthritis with bone-on-bone rubbing.
- Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: It is recommended instead of total shoulder replacement when the rotator cuff tendons are completely torn or when a previous total shoulder replacement surgery has failed.
- Stemmed hemiarthroplasty: This procedure is recommended when the glenoid surface is healthy, and only the ball is affected by a fracture or arthritis. It can also be effective in the case of rotator cuff injuries.
- Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty: This procedure is recommended when the glenoid surface and most parts of the ball are healthy, and only the surface of the humeral ball needs to be replaced. It is considered when doctors consider it appropriate to preserve the humeral bone.
