# Shoulder Joint Replacement

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/shoulder-joint-replacement/
- Published: 2019-01-17T15:29:19-05:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

# Shoulder Joint Replacement

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### Shoulder Joint Replacement Overview

A shoulder joint replacement treats an arthritic shoulder joint. The procedure is
usually recommended to treat severe shoulder arthritis that does not respond to 
nonsurgical treatment options, like anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid
injections, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. Patients who suffer 
from shoulder arthritis are encouraged to make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic
and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) shoulder specialist to find out if shoulder
joint replacement is an appropriate treatment option.

## **How is a total knee replacement performed?**

A shoulder joint replacement is an inpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia.
A CONA specialist carefully removes arthritic bone and replaces it with a perfect
fit prosthesis. Three procedure may be performed:

 1. A total shoulder joint replacement. The shoulder joint ball and socket are replaced.
 2. A partial shoulder joint replacement. The humeral head (top of the arm bone) is
    replaced.
 3. A reverse total shoulder. The ball and socket are replaced and their positions 
    are changed.

A reverse total shoulder is used to treat shoulder that have severe arthritis and
rotator cuff tears.

## **What conditions can shoulder joint replacement treat?**

 * _Shoulder arthritis_ that causes severe joint damage and makes moving the shoulder
   difficult and painful.
 * **A _humeral head fracture_ or fracture of the articulating portion of the arm
   bone. **

## **What are shoulder joint replacement advantages?**

Total joint replacement makes it possible for severe shoulder arthritis patients
to live pain-free lives and perform many movements and participate in many activities
that they previously could not.

## **What is shoulder joint replacement recovery like?**

Infection risks are decreased and pain is monitored and controlled during a 1-3 
night hospital stay. The next two weeks are spent resting and relaxing at home. 
Physical therapy is started as soon as possible to help speed up the recovery process.
A CONA shoulder specialist is seen 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after
the procedure. Total recovery time takes about 6-8 months.