| Joint replacement surgery for arthritis has | | | | the surgery until at least the age of 60. |
| become commonplace nowadays when it comes to | | | | |
| areas such as hips or knees. | | | | As with other replacement procedures, a |
| | | | revision operation- a replacement of a |
| However, there is still the notion that | | | | replacement is a difficult, risky, and |
| shoulder replacement is difficult and not | | | | complex procedure. Patients under the age of |
| very successful. It's something to consider | | | | 60 might want to consider lesser options |
| only as the very last resort... and even then | | | | before moving onto shoulder replacement. |
| avoid it if possible. Why is this the case? | | | | |
| | | | Shoulder fusion is another procedure that can |
| One reason is that shoulder replacement is | | | | be considered. While pain is ameliorated, |
| not commonly done. Only about a tenth as many | | | | function of the shoulder is markedly |
| shoulder replacements are done as hip or knee | | | | restricted so it's not an option for many |
| replacements. However, new data from a Johns | | | | patients. |
| Hopkins study has demonstrated that while | | | | |
| less commonly performed, shoulder replacement | | | | The reason total shoulder replacement is such |
| actually has fewer complications and shorter | | | | a challenging operation is that it involves |
| hospital stays than either knee or hip | | | | removing the head of the humerus (the top of |
| replacement. | | | | the upper arm bone) and replacing it with a |
| | | | new prosthetic metal ball. Then, a |
| Shoulder replacements are less common than | | | | resurfacing of the glenoid (shoulder socket) |
| knee or hip replacement for three major | | | | is done by by attaching a second |
| reasons. | | | | saucer-shaped plastic component to the |
| | | | shoulder blade. |
| The first is that the most common form of | | | | |
| arthritis, osteoarthritis- is a disease of | | | | Since the shoulder is a smaller and more |
| weight-bearing joints and the shoulder is not | | | | complex joint than the knee or hip, it is |
| a weight-bearing joint. | | | | more difficult to place the prosthesis |
| | | | perfectly. Getting to the shoulder joint is |
| Also, many people don't realize shoulder | | | | made more difficult because of the many |
| replacement is an option or they may lack | | | | nerves, tendons and blood vessels in the |
| access to surgeons who can perform shoulder | | | | area. |
| replacement surgery because it is such a | | | | |
| specialized procedure. | | | | Also, the anatomy of the shoulder varies a |
| | | | lot from person to person so many times |
| Finally, many physicians have not been | | | | standardized parts don't fit well. Placement |
| exposed to the excellent results that can be | | | | of the implant is very demanding from a |
| achieved, so they are often reluctant to | | | | surgical viewpoint. Done correctly, shoulder |
| advise it for their patients. | | | | replacement results in a well-functioning |
| | | | shoulder with a durable implant. |
| As with all joint replacement operations, the | | | | |
| single biggest determinant of success is the | | | | Also, and often most importantly, the |
| skill and experience of the surgeon. | | | | operation eliminates the arthritis pain. |
| | | | |
| This is a particularly complex surgery, so it | | | | After the procedure, patients can begin to |
| is mandatory to find a highly skilled surgeon | | | | move their shoulder right away. They should |
| at a major medical center, particularly a | | | | remain in the hospital at least two days |
| center specializing in orthopedic surgery, | | | | though. Several months of physical therapy |
| where a large number of shoulder replacements | | | | are necessary to gain full functioning and |
| are done. | | | | range of motion in the shoulder. |
| | | | |
| So if you're a patient with arthritis when do | | | | Most patients can raise their arm by six |
| you know you might be a candidate for | | | | weeks and resume full activities after three |
| shoulder replacement? If you're experiencing | | | | or four months. Patients experience the most |
| significant pain due to your arthritis that | | | | dramatic improvement in the first four |
| is disabling or interfering with sleep, | | | | months. However, they will still make |
| that's an indication. Also, if you are having | | | | progress over the next year. |
| difficulty with daily functioning as a result | | | | |
| of arthritis in the shoulder, that would be | | | | They often can return to their previous |
| another indicator that you should at least | | | | activities. However, surgeons caution |
| look into it. | | | | patients that excessive overuse of the joint |
| | | | will wear it out faster. |
| While shoulder arthritis is generally a | | | | |
| condition that occurs in older people, the | | | | So... shoulder replacement surgery can be |
| patient must otherwise be healthy enough to | | | | added to the growing number of treatment |
| undergo the surgical procedure. | | | | options available for people with shoulder |
| | | | arthritis that has failed to respond to more |
| Shoulder prostheses last an average of 15 to | | | | conservative measures. |
| 20 years so if possible, it's best to delay | | | | |