Shoulder replacement surgery should be performed to alleviate pain and improve function. It is an excellent option for patients that have failed other conservative measures such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. The most ideal patients for total shoulder replacement experience bone-on-bone friction in the joint but still have healthy rotator cuffs.

In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prosthesis. A total shoulder replacement replaces the entire joint and can relieve patients of the pain they've been feeling as a result of their worn-down shoulder joint.

Reverse shoulder replacement is typically appropriate for people who have suffered massive rotator cuff tears and are unable to even elevate their arms. In a healthy shoulder, the rotator cuff muscles help position and power the arm during the range of motion. A conventional replacement device also uses the rotator cuff muscles to function properly. In a patient with a large rotator cuff tear and cuff tear arthropathy, these muscles no longer function. The reverse total shoulder replacement relies on the deltoid muscle, instead of the rotator cuff, to power and position the arm.

Our shoulder arthroplasty specialist has performed thousands of shoulder replacements and can provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the total shoulder replacement procedure. Call us to request an appointment with our arthroplasty specialist if you have further questions about shoulder replacement.

Picture Source: Bruce Blaus and Wikimedia Commons