If nonsurgical and minimally invasive shoulder treatment does not work, shoulder replacement surgery may be recommended.
Shoulder replacement surgery, or shoulder arthroplasty, involves removing damaged areas of the shoulder and replacing them with a customized, prosthetic ball-and-socket device. Wake Orthopaedics offers advanced shoulder replacement procedures and provides rehabilitation services to help patients make a full recovery.
Conditions That May Require Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder pain can come from a variety of sources that help compose the joint. Some common conditions that may require shoulder replacement surgery include:
- Avascular necrosis, a conditions where the bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply. It can cause shoulder pain that worsens over time.
- Severe Fractures
- Osteoarthritis, a condition that occurs when the cartilage and joint tissues that pads bones gradually breaks down.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition that can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
- Rotator cuff tears
Understanding the Different Types of Shoulder Replacement
If shoulder replacement surgery is advised, you can expect quality treatment and care from start to finish form our shoulder replacement specialists at Wake Orthopaedics. As a leader in minimally invasive shoulder surgery and repair, our experienced team of surgeons can help you decided which shoulder replacement option is best for you.
Partial Shoulder Replacement
A partial shoulder replacement involves resurfacing only the ball in the shoulder’s ball and socket joint, leaving the patient’s native socket intact. These procedures are typically performed for conditions such as avascular necrosis of the shoulder, complications of fracture care and shoulder arthritis in young patients.
Total Shoulder Replacement
A total shoulder replacement resurfaces both the ball and socket and are indicated for patients with damage to both sides of the shoulder joint. Indications include shoulder arthritis from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, injection and complications from fractures and dislocations. Both partial shoulder replacements and total shoulder replacements are appropriate for patients who have a functional rotator cuff.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
A reverse total shoulder replacement is a special type of total shoulder replacement that uses that muscles of the shoulder to restore function for patients who do not have a functional rotator cuff. These replacements are used for patients with conditions such as rotator cuff tear arthropathy, severe fractures in the elderly and complications from previous replacements.
Following surgery, supervised physical therapy sessions will guide you through exercises designed to minimize scar tissue and increase range of motion and flexibility. This will allow you to heal faster and learn how to care for yourself at home.
Shoulder replacement surgery isn’t for everyone, but it can be a life-changing option for people with significant pain or who can’t function. Wake Orthopaedics’ shoulder surgeons are experts in the different approaches to this type of surgery, as well as the different prosthetic devices used to replace the shoulder joint.
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