Total Shoulder Replacement
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a group of conditions where there
is progressive damage to one or more joints.
The most common type of arthritis is
osteoarthritis, where there is progressive wear and tear of a
joint. Some other types of arthritis are associated with
inflammation of the joints.
Arthritis eventually wears away the normal
cartilage covering the surface of the joint and the bone underneath
becomes damaged. This causes pain and stiffness in the joint.
What are the benefits of surgery?
If your shoulder replacement is successful, you
should have less pain and be able to move your arm more easily.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory
painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain. Regular
moderate exercise can help to reduce stiffness in your arthritic
shoulder.
A steroid injection into the shoulder joint can sometimes reduce
pain and stiffness. All of these measures become less effective as
your arthritis gets worse.
What does the operation involve?
A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation
usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your shoulder and
remove the damaged ball (head of the humerus). They will replace
the ball and sometimes also the socket. The new ball is made of
metal and the socket is usually made of plastic (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - Shoulder replacement
The shoulder replacement is fixed into the bone
using a special coating on the arm-side of your shoulder
joint.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (wound)
- Unsightly scarring
- Chest infection
- Heart attack or stroke
2 Specific complications
- Damage to nerves.
- Infection
- Loosening
- Rotator-cuff tears
- Dislocation
- Stiff shoulder
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home after two to
three days.
You will need to keep your arm in a sling to
keep the tension away from your shoulder joint.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Most people make a good recovery, have less pain and can move
about better. An artificial shoulder never feels quite the same as
a normal shoulder and it is important to look after it in the long
term.
A shoulder replacement can wear out with time.
Summary
Arthritis of the shoulder can cause severe
pain, stiffness and disability. A shoulder replacement
operation should reduce your pain and help you to move your
shoulder more easily.
Acknowledgements
Author: Prof John Stanley MCh Orth FRCS (Ed)
FRCSE
Illustrations: Medical Illustration Copyright
© 2010 Nucleus Medical Art. All rights reserved. www.nucleusinc.com
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health professional would give you.
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