What is Shoulder Replacement

You have developed arthritis in your shoulder. The surfaces of the ball-and-socket joint between your shoulder are no longer smooth. The bones surfaces are rough and the cartilage lining has worn away. As a result, your shoulder is painful and stiff.

The Operation

After the anaesthetic has been administered and the shoulder is prepared, an incision is made across the front of the shoulder from the middle of the collarbone to the middle of the arm bone. This incision allows access to the joint without damaging the important muscles that are responsible for a significant portion of your shoulder’s power. Bone spurs are removed to prepare the bone for the humeral prosthesis.

In a total shoulder joint replacement, the ball portion of the humeral head is removed. The upper arm bone (humerus) is prepared creating a place for the humeral component. This is where the metal stem will be placed and is attached to the ball portion of the artificial shoulder.

If the socket portion of your shoulder will be replaced, the socket is prepared by using a burr to remove any remaining cartilage on the surface. A hole is usually drilled to place the stem of the glenoid component into the bone of the scapula. The glenoid component is held in place with special bone cement.

Finally, the humeral component and glenoid component that make up the artificial shoulder are inserted. The shoulder is tested to make sure the pieces fit properly. When your surgeon is satisfied that everything is in good working order, the shoulder capsule is sutured together, the muscles are returned to their correct positions and the skin is sutured together.