| What is total shoulder replacement surgery? When a | | | | or plastic implant. A half-moon shape is attached to a |
| patient suffers from severe arthritis (i.e. the cartilage | | | | stem which is inserted straight down the middle of |
| lining has completely worn away) excruciatingly painful | | | | the arm bone. Then the socket portion is shaved |
| bone-on-bone arthritis occurs. Motion is restricted and | | | | clean, to be replaced with a plastic socket which is |
| the pain can be tolerated with some medication (such | | | | permanently affixed into the scapula. The goal of this |
| as cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory | | | | surgery is to alleviate pain, not to improve general |
| medicines) which is administered via localised | | | | movement. Patients should understand this before |
| injections.. Surgery is a recommended and often | | | | undertaking this lengthy and often complicated |
| inevitable outcome, even if the medication has a | | | | surgery. |
| modicum of success. If you experience any of the | | | | Also understand that you must undergo a |
| following symptoms, you may be at risk from severe | | | | pre-operative health screening exam to ensure that |
| arthritis and it may be time to address your shoulder | | | | any potential patient is ready for total shoulder |
| problem: basic activities cause pain, motion is limited, | | | | replacement surgery. Do not eat or drink anything on |
| shoulder stiffness, joint swelling and tenderness. | | | | the day of the surgery, as surgeons require the |
| So how does total shoulder replacement work? Pain | | | | system to be clean before attempting any invasive |
| is permanently alleviated with an artificial replacement | | | | procedure. Your surgery may range from anywhere |
| – in the form of either a metal- or plastic implant. | | | | between two to three hours, which is of course |
| The shoulder is a rotating joint that has many | | | | wholly dependent on the amount of preparation and |
| features in common with the hip joint. Thanks to this | | | | anaesthesia required. Surgeons operate through a |
| socket joint, a massive range of motion is allowed | | | | four to eight inch-long incision which is generally |
| within a health joint. Therefore when shoulder | | | | performed under local anaesthesia. Recovery extends |
| surgery is performed, the ball is removed from the | | | | the time with a further hour. |
| top of the humerus and reinstated with a new metal | | | | |