Shoulder pain can be caused by many factors but is most common as a result of a sports injury or from a medical condition, such as arthritis. Baseball players, tennis players and swimmers, who perform a lot of repetitive overhead movements with their arms, are more susceptible to shoulder injuries.
A reverse shoulder replacement is recommended for patients who have a completely torn rotator cuff that cannot be repaired. If you have ongoing shoulder pain, a reverse shoulder replacement may be an option worth considering.
Anatomy of The Shoulder
The shoulder is a very complex joint made up of ligaments, bones, muscles, blood vessels and nerves. The three main bones that make up the shoulder are the humerus (upper arm bone), shoulder blade (scapula), and the clavicle (collarbone). The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint with the humeral head (the top of the humerus) acting as the ball of the joint which sits within a shallow socket, called the glenoid, located in the shoulder blade.
The glenoid cavity is covered with a soft, fibrous tissue known as the labrum. The labrum gives the shoulder joint stability and deepens the socket to allow the humeral head to fit in it more comfortably. The rotator cuff is made up of a network of muscles and tendons which secures the joint, keeping the head of the humerus firmly within the socket and controls movement of the arm and shoulder.
The Surgery
With reverse shoulder replacement surgery, the position of the ball and socket in the joint is switched. A prosthetic “ball” is surgically placed at the shoulder blade, and an artificial “socket” is surgically created atop the upper arm bone.
By reversing the location of the ball and socket, it allows the shoulder to bypass the faulty rotator cuff and use the deltoid muscle, located in the top of the arm and shoulder, to power arm and shoulder movements instead. The purpose of the surgery is to stabilize the shoulder joint and restore pain-free motion and function.
Surgical Complications
Reverse shoulder replacement surgery is a specialized procedure and similar to other surgical procedures, there can be risks involved. This can include bleeding, nerve damage, and infection. Your surgeon will take precautions before, during, and after the surgery to reduce the risk of these issues.
Recovery
After the procedure, you will remain in the hospital for a few days. After you heal and your surgeon gives you permission, you will begin physical therapy. This will help you gain motion, strength, joint stability, and coordination in the surgery site.
Recovery time from reverse shoulder replacement surgery can take several weeks and will require you to follow instructions from your surgeon and physical therapist. You will likely have to take some time off work to ensure you get the rest and relaxation you need to heal.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery in Naples, Florida
If you are suffering from shoulder pain and want to see if a reverse shoulder replacement surgery can help you, get in touch with the experts at Joint Replacement Institute. Our experts have a wealth of experience treating all types of orthopedic issues using nonsurgical and surgical treatments, such as reverse shoulder replacement. To make an appointment, give us a call at (239) 261-2663. You can also request an appointment online.
