Is Shoulder Replacement Surgery Worth It?
Shoulder replacement surgery, or shoulder arthroplasty, is a fairly common orthopaedic procedure. Approximately 53,000 people in the United States have the procedure each year.
If you have shoulder pain, your doctor will likely recommend conservative treatments first, such as anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections. But if they don’t relieve your pain, you may ask your doctor if shoulder replacement is right for you. You may also wonder: Will it be worth it?
Shoulder replacement surgery has a high success rate: Approximately 95 percent of people are pain-free a year after surgery.
At Beebe Healthcare, several of our orthopaedic surgeons perform shoulder arthroplasty and can determine if it’s right for you. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about shoulder replacement surgery, including the benefits, risks, and whether you may be a good candidate.
WHAT IS SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
During shoulder arthroplasty, an orthopaedic surgeon removes the damaged parts of your shoulder joint and replaces them with artificial implants.
Part or all of your shoulder may be damaged. The shoulder comprises three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula), and collarbone (clavicle). Just like your hip, the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. This means that the ball (head of the humerus) fits into a socket (glenoid) in your shoulder blade.
Depending on the extent of joint damage you have, your surgeon may replace only the ball of the humerus (partial shoulder replacement). Or, they may replace both the ball and socket (total shoulder replacement). The implants are made of metal (ball) and plastic (socket).
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TOTAL SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
If you need a total shoulder replacement, your surgeon will perform the procedure in one of the following ways:
- Traditional total shoulder replacement: Your surgeon replaces both the ball and socket of your shoulder with implants. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you have bone-on-bone osteoarthritis and your rotator cuff tendons are intact.
- Reverse total shoulder replacement: Your surgeon replaces both the ball and socket of your shoulder but reverses the implants. They attach the ball to the shoulder blade and the socket to the upper arm bone. The reversal lets you use your deltoid muscle to lift your arm instead of your rotator cuff. Your surgeon may choose this option if your rotator cuff is severely damaged. They may also recommend it if a previous shoulder replacement failed.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
The main benefit of shoulder replacement surgery is pain relief. Most people have significantly less pain than they did before the procedure. Many have no pain at all, except when they are too active and “overdo it.”
Shoulder arthroplasty also improves:
- Range of motion and mobility
- Function performing everyday activities
- Strength and joint stability
- Quality of life
The amount of improvement you have depends on many factors, such as the type of surgery and how long your motion was reduced before surgery.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
Shoulder replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure. But, as with any surgery, there are some potential risks and complications.
Infection may occur in the wound or prosthesis (artificial parts). Antibiotics can usually treat the infection. But if it’s large or deep, you may need surgery to remove the infected tissue or implants.
Another complication of the prosthesis is that it may wear down over time and possibly even dislocate. When this happens, you may need another surgery, which is known as a revision procedure.
Finally, the nerves around the joint may be damaged during shoulder arthroplasty. This complication isn’t very common and typically gets better on its own over time.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
Recovery time varies from person to person. Part of it depends on the type of surgery you had. It also depends on how dedicated you are to following your doctor’s orders and physical therapy exercises. It may take six to 12 months to recover fully.
After your surgery, your arm will be in a sling for two to six weeks to protect your shoulder. You should be able to use your arm for waist-level activities the day after surgery. And you’ll be able to feed and dress yourself within the first week or two.
You will start physical therapy about six weeks after surgery. Your physical therapist will give you exercises to strengthen your shoulder and improve flexibility. At Beebe Healthcare, we can provide physical therapy in your home or at one of our physical rehabilitation offices in Sussex County.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
Our specialists at Beebe Healthcare can determine if shoulder replacement surgery is right for you. Generally speaking, you may be a good candidate for the procedure if you have:
- Severe shoulder pain that gets in the way of daily activities like reaching for something in a cabinet or getting dressed
- Moderate to severe pain while resting, including when you’re trying to sleep
- Limited range of motion or weakness in the shoulder
- Pain that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections
THE BOTTOM LINE: IS SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY WORTH IT?
Shoulder arthroplasty can greatly improve your quality of life. You’ll experience less pain, more range of motion, and better shoulder function overall. Typically, those who have the procedure can return to work and doing activities they love.
If you’re interested in shoulder replacement surgery, talk to your primary care provider about getting a referral to an orthopaedic specialist near you. Need a primary care provider? Call 302-645-3332 to schedule an appointment with a Beebe Healthcare doctor.
