Removing damaged bone
Although less common than knee or hip replacements, shoulder replacement surgery removes diseased or damaged bone in the shoulder and replaces it with an artificial joint. In patients with arthritis or rotator cuff damage, the shoulder joint can become unstable, severely restricting range of motion. Over time, bone starts to rub against bone when the out-of-balance joint wears down cartilage.
Hear more in the video below from orthopedic surgeon, Kenneth Edwards, MD.
Total shoulder replacement
In standard total shoulder replacement surgery, a surgeon removes the rounded head of the upper arm bone and replaces it with a metal ball. A high-strength plastic implant is used to replace the socket of the shoulder blade.
Reverse shoulder replacement
Reverse total shoulder replacement works better for patients with severe arthritis and a large rotator cuff tear as this procedure relies on different muscles to move the arm. In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the new ball and socket are located on the opposite sides of a normal shoulder. The metal ball replaces the socket of the shoulder and a plastic socket is attached where the head of the humerus used to be.
Ready for pain relief? Use the button below to request a consultation with a specially trained orthopedic surgeon at Spectrum Health Lakeland or call 269.684.6484