Shoulder Replacement

What is a Shoulder Replacement procedure?

A Shoulder Replacement procedure (also known as an Shoulder Arthroplasty) replaces worn parts of the natural 'ball and socket' surface of the shoulder joint with an artificial cover known as prosthesis.

The components of prosthesis are typically made of metal and/or plastic, which when fitted correctly, allows the shoulder to rotate in all directions without restriction or pain. 

Why is a Shoulder Replacement procedure performed?

A Shoulder Replacement is usually performed on individuals over the age of 55 who have experienced long term chronic, debilitating shoulder pain that fails to respond to non-surgical treatment.

Joint 'wear and tear' between the surfaces of the upper part of the Humerus (arm bone) and the Glenoid Depression in the Scapula (socket in the shoulder blade) caused by Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis are two of the most common reasons for performing a Shoulder Replacement. Trauma or disease that impair the shoulder joints blood supply can also be successfully treated by performing a 'Total' or 'Partial' Shoulder Replacement procedure.

How is a Shoulder Replacement procedure carried out?

Shoulder Replacement surgery can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Regional Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes around two to three hours to complete.

The operation is performed through a longitudinal incision made over the shoulder in order for the surgeon to move the shoulder tendons out of the way and then fully expose the damaged surfaces of the joint. Various cutting instruments are then used to smooth and prepare the joints inner surface/s ready to accept and fix a new prosthetic lining or in more severe cases, entire prosthetic ball and socket joint components. Following the procedure the wound is typically closed with stitches and the wound site covered with a temporary dressing and compression bandage.    

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid joint stiffness and other complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to take a short walk and perform gentle postoperative exercises with guidance from a physiotherapist on the day of surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged from hospital 2-3 days following surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally fully mobile, wearing a light weight dressing and support sling on the effected shoulder, eating and drinking normally and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers).

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their new shoulder joints mobility and stability through a dedicated and progressive upper limb physiotherapy regime.

Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your shoulder joints range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your shoulder replacement operation has been. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to nine months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Shoulder Replacement surgery?

Although Shoulder Replacement surgery is more commonly and successfully performed today than it has ever been, it is still performed less frequently than most other types of joint replacement surgery. This is probably because Shoulder Replacement Surgery is considered one of the more complex and challenging joint replacement procedures to perform or to revise.

It is therefore critical that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking such specialist surgery and importance of a full consultation to discuss your condition with an expert in Shoulder Replacement surgery in relation to these risks cannot therefore be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Shoulder Replacement surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Shoulder Replacement surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex shoulder surgery and because of their specialist upper limb surgical expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert upper limb orthopaedic surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com