What You Should Know About Shoulder Replacement Surgery

You may not realise it, but knees and hips aren't the only joints that can develop arthritis and require replacement...

Total shoulder replacement (TSR) is a common procedure that increases range of motion and relieves pain in patients with severe shoulder arthritis.  Everything you need to know is as follows:

Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of the humeral head and the glenoid of the scapula. A healthy joint is one in which the two bones work together to promote painless movement.

The Effects of Arthritis on the Shoulder Joint

When the joint is affected by arthritis, the humerus head rubs bone-on-bone against the glenoid and/or acromion of the scapula. This causes pain and significantly reduces mobility. When severe arthritis develops, patients find it extremely difficult to perform daily functions that require any upper body movement, such as lifting objects or raising their arm above their head.

Total Shoulder Replacement (TSR)

A total shoulder replacement, like a hip or knee replacement, is a procedure that replaces the arthritic head of the humerus and the glenoid with metal and plastic implants to restore the joint. It usually takes a little more than an hour to complete the procedure.

Patients can expect increased shoulder mobility and a significant reduction in pain following surgery and physical therapy. They can also expect being able to perform the majority of daily activities that require the use of the shoulder. Getting in Touch with an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Shoulder pain can be crippling. However, you should not have to suffer. To find out if total shoulder replacement surgery is a viable treatment option please make an appointment with our orthopaedic specialists Dr. Prashant Tonape.