Shoulder Replacement Specialist

What is a shoulder replacement?

A shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure to replace the damaged parts of your shoulder. Your shoulder includes three bones: your humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). The top of your humerus fits into a socket in your shoulder blade called the glenoid.

During a shoulder replacement, your surgeon replaces the upper ball part of your humerus and the glenoid part of your shoulder blade. A partial shoulder replacement only replaces part of the joint instead of both the upper humerus and the glenoid.

Why would I need a shoulder replacement?

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is one of the most common reasons that you might need a shoulder replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage that cushions, lubricates, and protects the inside of your joint to wear away. As a result, the ball and socket in your shoulder rub together and create friction, which irritates and damages your bones. Over time the damage can increase and severely impair your mobility and quality of life.

Other reasons you might need a shoulder replacement surgery include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Post-traumatic arthritis
  
• Rotator cuff arthropathy
  
• Avascular necrosis (blood supply to your bones is cut off)
  
• Severe fractures
  
  

The team at NASA Bone & Joint Specialists can also provide shoulder replacement revisions to replace a failed previous shoulder replacement.

What happens during a shoulder replacement?

The surgeons at NASA Bone & Joint Specialists provide general anesthesia, so you sleep comfortably through your operation. There are several surgical approaches your surgeon can take, but in general, they make an incision in your shoulder to access the joint. They carefully remove the damaged parts of your humerus and shoulder blade before bonding replacement parts to your remaining healthy bone. Shoulder replacement parts are usually made from titanium or a special, durable medical-grade plastic.

What should I expect after a shoulder replacement?

You need up to six months to fully recover from your shoulder replacement surgery and may need to take a couple of weeks off work during the initial phases of recovery. You also start physical therapy almost immediately to keep your shoulder supple and mobile while you recover. Over time, you and your therapist increase your range of motion and rebuild strength in your shoulder, arm, back, and chest.

If you need an expert shoulder surgeon, call NASA Bone & Joint Specialists or make an appointment online today to learn more about the shoulder replacement process.