What is Total Shoulder Joint Replacement?
Severe shoulder pain can affect the way you live and move each day, making the most common daily activities much more difficult. Many different forms of arthritis can affect the shoulder. If you have tried conservative treatment options for your pain with little or no success, your doctor may recommend total shoulder joint replacement. This procedure is just as successful as knee and hip replacement in relieving joint pain and helping patients live and move more comfortably. The shoulder consists of three bones that are protected by cartilage. During shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with a prosthesis. There are different types of shoulder replacement, but the standard procedure (anatomic total shoulder replacement) involves implanting a metal ball attached to a stem and resurfacing the socket with plastic. If your doctor recommends total shoulder replacement, our team will answer all your questions throughout the process. Learn more about this procedure below and contact the OrthoGeorgia location nearest you to schedule an appointment today.
Is Total Shoulder Joint Replacement Right for Me?
There are a variety of conditions and injuries that can cause severe shoulder pain. Total shoulder replacement is often recommended when conservative treatments fail to relieve pain in an arthritic shoulder. Candidates for shoulder replacement often experience pain while resting, loss of motion in the shoulder, and pain that interferes with everyday activities. Some of the conditions that may lead a patient to consider this procedure include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Posttraumatic arthritis
When you see one of our joint replacement specialists at OrthoGeorgia, they will work with you to determine whether this procedure is right for you. In some cases, reverse total shoulder replacement or partial shoulder replacement may be a better option. A thorough discussion of your medical history, coupled with a comprehensive physical examination and the necessary imaging tests, will help shape your individualized treatment plan at OrthoGeorgia.
What are the Benefits of Total Shoulder Replacement?
Total shoulder replacement offers patients the chance to overcome their joint pain, providing them with pain relief and improved range of motion and function. Patients also find that they can perform daily activities more comfortably, and even return to sports such as golf or swimming. Total shoulder joint replacement is known to be an extremely effective procedure that provides patients with pain-free shoulder function. Please reach out to your care team if you have any questions about changes you may need to make after surgery.
Total Shoulder Joint Replacement at OrthoGeorgia
Before Your Shoulder Replacement
Once your surgeon at OrthoGeorgia has determined that total shoulder replacement is the best course of action for you, they will provide you with a thorough explanation of the procedure. They will also provide you with instructions on how to prepare for the surgery in the days and weeks leading up to it. You should inform your doctor of all your current medications. You should also arrange for a family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment and help you with tasks at home. In order to support a comfortable recovery, we recommend that you prepare your home by moving commonly used items (like pots and pans) to counter height so you don’t have to reach over your head. You will need to avoid heavy lifting after surgery.
During Your Shoulder Replacement
Total shoulder replacement surgery can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. Your surgical team will start by separating the muscles in the area so they can access the shoulder. From there, they can visualize and remove the arthritic or damaged sections of the joint. These components are replaced with the plastic socket and metal ball. Once everything is in place, the incisions are closed and stitched. You will spend some time in recovery once you wake up from the anesthesia. The next day, a post-operative X-ray may be taken to get a final view of the implants. Your care team will let you know beforehand how long you will need to stay in the hospital after surgery. You will also receive detailed post-operative care instructions, which you should follow closely.
After Your Shoulder Replacement
In order to have a successful recovery from shoulder replacement surgery, you should follow your recovery instructions closely and take it easy in the days and weeks after surgery. You will wear a sling in the early stages of your recovery and will receive guidance on how to clean your surgical wound. You will be given a list of at-home exercises to perform, which will progress into a physical therapy routine. Physical therapy will help to rehabilitate the shoulder and support its function, strength, and mobility. OrthoGeorgia patients have access to individualized physical therapy care at our locations in Macon (Buildings A and B), Warner Robins, and Kathleen. Our licensed physical therapists regularly communicate with our surgeons, so your therapy plan will align perfectly with the details of your surgical procedure. Our therapists are trained in many specialized treatments and use state-of-the-art equipment to help each patient live and move more comfortably. Each member of your care team, from your surgeon to your physical therapist, will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the shoulder replacement process and recovery.
Other Joint Replacement Procedures We Offer in Central GA
Although we strive to offer nonsurgical treatment methods whenever possible, some cases of joint pain and damage call for joint replacement surgery. The surgical procedures we provide are designed to help relieve pain, increase mobility, and enable our patients to live more active lifestyles. We are proud to provide comprehensive and compassionate surgical care with the needs of each patient in mind every step of the way. Our total joint specialties in Central Georgia include:
Macon
