- Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS)

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

For patients with severe arthritis of the shoulder who have not achieved pain relief from non-operative treatments, or who have had a severe fracture, a total shoulder replacement is often an option. The surgeon replaces the damaged or arthritic joint surfaces with a highly-polished metal ball attached to a stem, and a plastic socket. In cases where the ball is severely fractured and the socket is normal, the surgeon may replace only the ball.

As with any joint replacement surgery, a rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy and home exercises is key to a successful recovery.

Shoulder Replacement overview by AAOS

Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery

In severe cases, where the rotator cuff tendons are degenerated or torn beyond repair and the patient has a drastic loss of mobility and severe pain, a reverse shoulder replacement may be an option.

While approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 2004, reverse shoulder replacement has been used successfully in Europe for over 20 years. The surgery uses a metal and plastic implant that works the opposite of a normal shoulder by placing the ball onto the shoulder blade and the socket onto the top of the upper arm bone. The reversed position of the ball and socket alters the mechanics of the shoulder. By changing the center of the shoulder’s rotation, the strength needed to move the arm is shifted away from the damaged rotator cuff muscles allowing the deltoid muscle to take over.

A rehabilitation program including physical therapy and home exercises is important in order to make a full recovery from a reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement