Shoulder joint replacement surgery can reduce pain and help you resume daily physical activity. Orthopedic surgeons remove damaged shoulder parts and replace them with artificial components that are resistant to wear. The procedure may involve the head or the socket and ball of the humerus bone, depending on your condition. Here are six reasons you may need a shoulder replacement:
1. Severe Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Conditions
The cartilage in your shoulder joint can gradually wear away with age and repetitive motions. Joint issues like degenerative joint disease or post-traumatic arthritis lead to joint degradation. As the bones in your shoulder rub against each other, you may experience stiffness, pain, and loss of mobility. A shoulder replacement could help when other treatment options fail. Visit a physician to learn more about your candidacy for a surgical intervention to improve shoulder health and function.
2. Rheumatoid and Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Shoulder joint inflammation caused by conditions like rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis may result in symptoms like pain and deformity. If past treatments have failed to treat injuries to your shoulder’s cartilage, there may be residual damage to the tissue, resulting in post-traumatic arthritis. A replacement surgery corrects the side effects of autoimmune arthritic conditions to improve your comfort and range of motion. Increasing your shoulder’s mobility may also ease chronic pain in the area.
3. Rotator Cuff Damage and Joint Instability
Severe tears in the rotator cuff may be irreparable, so orthopedic surgeons replace the entire rotator cuff to restore function. A new rotator cuff reduces weakness and pain in your shoulder. If you experience shoulder instability or dislocation due to genetic conditions, tearing, and repeated injuries, the surgical team will strengthen the weak tissue to restore function and enable natural movement.
4. Chronic Pain and Complex Fractures
An orthopedic surgeon helps relieve chronic shoulder pain when therapy and medication offer little or no relief. A shoulder surgery may provide you with a long-term solution to the pain. If your pain is connected to a severe fracture in the shoulder socket, a joint replacement will restore its structure and function.
5. Avascular Necrosis and Torn Cartilage
Bone tissues die when blood flow to shoulder joints is interrupted for various reasons. This painful process leads to joint deterioration and bone collapse, which is a condition called avascular necrosis. Shoulder surgery can reduce the impact of the damage, as prosthetics replace damaged shoulder surfaces and don’t require blood flow. This prevents future cartilage and bone deterioration and offers long-term relief.
6. Failed Surgery and Decreased Function
If you have undergone a previous shoulder surgery without success, an orthopedic surgeon can help alleviate your discomfort through restorative surgery. Removing failed prosthetics and placing new devices properly in the shoulder enables a greater range of motion and smoother movement. If you notice everyday tasks like washing, reaching a cabinet, getting dressed, or stretching cause strain and pain in your shoulder, contact your surgeon for a check-up.
Schedule Shoulder Replacement Surgery
If you have tried alternative shoulder treatments with little or no success, shoulder surgery may be a good solution for your pain and discomfort. During a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, you’ll learn more about how a shoulder replacement could improve your immobility and shoulder pain. Contact an orthopedic surgeon today to schedule an appointment.