Shoulder Replacement

Types of Shoulder Replacement

Partial shoulder replacement surgery: When the socket in the joint gets worn out, the orthopedic surgeon recommends partial or hemi shoulder replacement to restore the normal function of the joint. During this procedure, the surgeon puts a metal stem, on the top of the arm bone, with a ball on the end to regain movement in the shoulder joint.
Total shoulder replacement surgery: It is one of the complex surgical techniques that involve replacing the damaged shoulder joint completely with a best-suited artificial shoulder joint.
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: This technique is usually suggested when the natural position of the ball and socket joint is reversed. This surgical procedure needs to be performed with precision and expertise.
Shoulder resurfacing: In this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon replaces the damaged humeral joint surface with an artificial metal cap without harming the nearby part of the humerus.

Shoulder Replacement Diagnosis

X-ray: This test is usually recommended to get a clear picture of the shoulder joint. It helps the surgeon decide the type of technique for the shoulder replacement treatment.
MRI: A doctor usually recommends this imaging test to get intricate images of the tissues and organs of the affected area.
Electromyography(EMG): This diagnostic test is usually recommended to assess the health of the muscles and the nerve cells that control them. It helps in detecting nerve and muscle dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Shoulder replacement surgery is performed with arthroscopic technology, which is a minimally invasive method. The surgery is performed under the influence of anesthesia which makes the surgical procedure painless. However, post shoulder replacement surgery, during the recovery duration, you may feel pain and discomfort that can be managed with the prescribed medication by your orthopedic doctor.

You may have to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days post-shoulder replacement surgery. However, the stay in the hospital may differ from one patient to another based on the severity of the condition, if the patient is showing any irregular signs post-surgery, etc.

The shoulder replacement surgery duration may take 1-2 hours. However, this is an approximate duration that may differ based on the type of artificial implant used for the shoulder replacement, the severity of the condition, etc.

The average recovery duration may take 10-12 days when the patient starts doing regular activities without any major issues. However, the complete recovery may take 3-4 months. The recovery duration also includes physiotherapy that helps the patient restore the full range of motion in the operated shoulder joint.

There is no specific time frame where you can resume work post shoulder replacement surgery. The time limit may differ from one patient to another for resuming work post-surgery depending on the factors, including the severity of the surgery, type of profession you are into, etc.

You should consult an orthopedic surgeon who has specialization and fellowship in joint replacement surgeries. Shoulder replacement is a critical surgery and needs expertise as well as precision to get effective treatment. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult expert orthopedic surgery for shoulder replacement surgery.