Although shoulder joint replacement is less common than knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain. Today, about 53,000 people in the U.S. have shoulder replacement surgery each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Shoulder replacement surgery was first performed in the United States in the 1950s to treat severe shoulder fractures. Over the years, shoulder joint replacement has come to be used for many other painful conditions of the shoulder, most commonly for end stage osteoarthritis.
If nonsurgical treatments like medications and activity changes are no longer helpful for relieving pain, you may want to consider shoulder joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain and help you resume everyday activities.
In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prosthesis. The typical total shoulder replacement involves replacing the arthritic joint surfaces with a highly polished metal ball attached to a stem, and a plastic socket. Some of the more complex cases require what is called a “reverse shoulder” replacement and is often chosen when the rotator cuff musculature is severely damaged.
Whether you have just begun exploring treatment options or have already decided to have shoulder joint replacement surgery, it is important that you seek the counsel of the very best, most experienced shoulder surgeons in your area. At The Joint Care Center, we have several of the most experienced shoulder surgeons in Southwest Florida to help you decide on the best path to follow.