Shoulder Replacement
If you experience severe shoulder pain that continues despite conservative treatment, it may be time to consider shoulder replacement surgery. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Southern Oregon Orthopedics perform total, partial, and reverse shoulder replacement procedures at two locations in Medford and Grants Pass, Oregon. To find out if a shoulder replacement is right for you, call (541) 779-6250 or request an appointment online today.
What is shoulder replacement surgery?
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that forms where the round head of your upper arm bone (humerus) fits into a shallow groove (glenoid) in your shoulder blade. Shoulder replacement, also known as shoulder arthroplasty, involves removing damaged parts of this joint and replacing them with artificial components.
As with other types of joint replacement, the goal is to relieve pain and improve mobility so you can resume normal activities. Presurgical and postsurgical rehabilitation help prepare you for the procedure and facilitate a healthy, speedy recovery.
When would I need a shoulder replacement?
Your Southern Oregon Orthopedics surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement if you have shoulder pain that interferes with your daily activities and doesn’t resolve with physical therapy and medications.
Common shoulder problems they treat with shoulder replacements include:
- Severe fractures
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Arthritis due to a long-standing rotator cuff tear
- Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis), which is tissue death due to no blood supply
If you had a previous shoulder replacement that failed for any reason, they may perform a procedure called revision shoulder replacement.
What are the different types of shoulder replacement procedures?
The expert surgeons at Southern Oregon Orthopedics perform all types of shoulder replacement procedures, including total, partial, and reverse.
Total shoulder replacement
Total shoulder arthroplasty replaces the entire joint. Your surgeon replaces the humeral head with a polished metal ball attached to a stem that they cement into your humerus. They replace the glenoid with a plastic socket so the metal ball can glide smoothly.
Partial shoulder replacement
If your glenoid is healthy and undamaged, your surgeon may recommend a less invasive procedure known as a partial shoulder replacement or stemmed hemiarthroplasty. In this procedure, they only replace the ball part of the joint and keep the glenoid intact.
Reverse total shoulder replacement
A reverse total shoulder replacement switches the positions of the socket and metal ball. Your surgeon may do this if you have a massive rotator cuff tear or previous shoulder replacement that failed.
If you think you may need a shoulder replacement, call Southern Oregon Orthopedics at (541) 779-6250 or request an appointment online today.