What You Need to Know About Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

When medical treatments, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes fail to

improve the condition or alleviate the pain of someone who suffers from

osteoarthritis or inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis, then surgery might

be the best option for the patient. In cases where the affected area is the

shoulder, the surgery is referred to as shoulder replacement surgery.

The name pretty much explains the procedure of replacing a part or

the entire shoulder with an artificial replacement, allowing the patient to

use his or her shoulder normally without the pain or discomfort that he

or she previously experienced.

Generally, the parts of the patient’s shoulder are replaced by metal and

plastic. Usually, what are replaced are the ends of the damaged upper

arm bones. Sometimes, only the ball is replaced. Other times, the ball is

replaced along with the socket it is found in. In such cases, the ball is

usually replaced with metal, while the socket with plastic. In cases where

the ends of the upper arm bone are replaced, doctors hold joint

components in place with cement.

Alternatively, the doctor uses a hollow material that allows new bones

to grow over time and hold them in place without the need for cement. In

some cases, there is no actual replacement. Upon opening the patient’s

shoulder, the doctor will then cap the surfaces of his or her upper arm

and shoulder bones with plastic or metal.

During the entire surgery, the surgeon will use general anesthesia,

meaning the patient will be unconscious during his or her surgery. Some

surgeons might opt for regional anesthesia, resulting in a conscious, yet

sleepy, patient who cannot feel anything in the affected area as the

surgery is being performed.

The decision on which anesthesia should be used lies on the surgeon,

taking into account the overall health of the patient and, to a certain

extent, what the patient prefers.

There is currently a new alternative to shoulder replacement

surgery called “reverse shoulder replacement.” This is done for patients

who have painful arthritis in their shoulder region, as well as damaged

muscles around the shoulder area. In this particular procedure, the

surgeon removes the damaged bones and smoothens the ends. He or she

then attaches a rounded joint piece to the shoulder bone. He or she

proceeds to use a piece that is shaped like a cup to replace the upper arm

bone.

Though early results of this surgery are encouraging, it is not seen as a

replacement to traditional shoulder replacement surgery. This is

especially true because not all surgeons have done it, leading to a lack of

experience among them; this is understandable considering that it is still

a new procedure. The patient must also be carefully examined to see

which option is best for him or her.

After shoulder replacement surgery, the patient is transferred to a

recovery room where he or she is monitored until he or she awakens.

Further stay in hospital will last two or three days. There will be pain but

this is manageable by painkillers. Aside from the painkillers, the patient

will be prescribed anti-inflammatory medication. Other activities that

will help in the recovery process include exercise and keeping the

incision clean.