Shoulder Replacement
Over 60,000 Americans have a shoulder replacement every year, and it is now the third most common joint replacement. Shoulder replacement surgery may be an appropriate treatment for you if you have painful, limited arm and shoulder movement that makes you unable to perform everyday tasks comfortably or sleep well at night.
What Is a Shoulder Replacement?
The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint. Occasionally, the ball and socket can become worn and painful. When this occurs, your orthopedic surgeon at Randolph Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine may recommend a shoulder replacement. In a shoulder replacement, the "ball" (humeral head) of the shoulder joint is replaced with a metal implant that has a stem with a smooth, rounded metal head. The "socket" (glenoid) may be replaced with a smooth, rounded plastic cup that fits the head of the ball perfectly.
Are You a Candidate for a Shoulder Replacement?
If you have had x-ray or MRI tests showing arthritis or other chronic problems and find you are not getting the pain relief you need from medication, injections or physical therapy, then you might be a candidate. If you have suffered from a shoulder fracture or have torn or severely damaged the muscles that aid in the shoulder's movement (the rotator cuff), you might be a candidate as well. An orthopedic surgeon at Randolph Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine who specializes in shoulder surgery, like Drs. Shakeel Durrani and Jeffrey Yaste, can best evaluate your condition and determine if a shoulder replacement is right for you.
A shoulder replacement is usually recommended for diagnoses such as:
- Degenerative joint disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
- Avascular necrosis
- Severe fracture