Advances in shoulder replacement surgery

Whether your shoulder pain is the result of arthritis or a rotator cuff injury, shoulder replacement surgery is an effective option to improve your quality of life and restore your mobility.

“Shoulder replacement surgery is a really great option, and the treatment works really well,” says John Erickson, MD, orthopedic surgeon and specialist in hand and upper extremity surgery at Atlantic Health. “Patients who have the procedure often find their arthritis or irreparable rotator cuff pain is relieved very quickly.”

Advancements in shoulder replacement surgery

The use of navigation and sophisticated planning software has made shoulder replacement surgery more precise and effective than ever before. Using data points and measurements unique to each patient, orthopedic surgeons can determine the best type of implant and placement to protect your range of motion and ensure the best possible outcome after surgery.

Longer-lasting joint implants made of metal or pyrocarbon have been shown to reduce bone erosion over time, making shoulder replacement surgery an option for younger patients. Inlay and inset glenoid implants can also increase joint stability and preserve bone, which is critical for younger, highly active patients who might require additional shoulder surgery later in life.

Orthopedic surgeons and researchers are also investigating new techniques for shoulder replacement surgery, including incorporating real-time soft tissue tension measurements and tendon-sparing procedures that can reduce pain after surgery and speed the healing process.

“Emerging technology has enabled orthopedic surgeons to be reliably accurate with shoulder replacement surgery, and the new materials used for artificial joints extend the life of great implants even further,” says Dr. Erickson. “The future looks great for shoulder replacement surgery, and a lot of bright stuff is happening in the field.” 

When is shoulder replacement surgery recommended?

Shoulder replacement surgery is often recommended for patients who have osteoarthritis in their shoulder or a significant rotator cuff injury that cannot be repaired with other procedures.

You might benefit from a shoulder replacement surgery if you:

• Have weakness or reduced range of motion in your shoulder
• Experience loss of sleep due to shoulder pain
• Cannot lift your arms over your head
• Have difficulty reaching for things or completing daily living activities because of shoulder pain

Types of shoulder replacement surgery

There are different types of shoulder replacement surgery which replace all or part of your shoulder joint with a new, artificial joint. Your orthopedic surgeon will tell you what type of surgery they recommend, as well as the type of implant that will work best for you.

• Anatomic shoulder replacement is also known as a total shoulder replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon will replace both the ball and socket joint of your shoulder during surgery. For many patients, a stemless implant may also be used to preserve bone and speed recovery.
• Hemiarthroplasty is a partial shoulder replacement. During the procedure, only the ball of the shoulder socket is removed. This type of surgery may be recommended for patients with very high physical demands.
• Reverse total shoulder replacement is the most common type of shoulder replacement surgery. It’s typically done when your rotator cuff has significant damage or when a previous joint replacement fails. It can also be done if you have bony deformities from your arthritis. During surgery your orthopedic surgeon will replace both the ball and socket of your shoulder joint and invert their positions. This means what was previously your socket becomes a round ball, and what was previously a round ball become your socket. 

Some patients go home the same day they have their shoulder replaced. Others spend one night in the hospital. Dr. Erickson says most patients are very happy with their results and have significant pain relief about three months after their surgery. However, a full recovery and restored joint function can take up to one year. You can expect your new joint to last roughly 15 to 20 years.

“Shoulder replacement surgery is better at restoring patient anatomy now than it was 10 years ago,” says Dr. Erickson. “Many people think that shoulder replacement surgery must be very painful or that it involves a long and difficult recovery, but that’s definitely not the case for most people.