How is Shoulder Replacement Surgery Performed?
Individuals who have undertaken the usual treatments for shoulder arthritis, but have not been able to get relief from pain, may opt for shoulder replacement surgery. Shoulder replacement is the best available option for the treatment of intense arthritis of the shoulder joint. Total shoulder replacement reduces pain by replacing the damaged bone and cartilage with a metal and plastic implant.
Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery Process:
This operation is done under general anesthesia. Joint replacement involves surgery to replace the ends of bones in a damaged joint. The shoulder replacement surgery creates new joint surfaces. An opening about six inches long is then made over the shoulder joint. The incision is slowly made deeper through muscle and other tissues until the bones of the shoulder joint are exposed. The orthopedic surgeon replaces the ends of the damaged upper arm bone (humerus) and usually the shoulder bone (scapula) or cap them with artificial surfaces lined with plastic or metal. Shoulder joint implants may be held in place with cement, or they may be made with material that allows new bone to grow into the joint component over time to grasp it in place without cement.
The top end of your upper arm bone is designed like a ball. Muscles and ligaments hold this ball against a cup-shaped part of the shoulder bone. Surgeons usually replace the top of the upper arm bone with a long metal piece, inserted into your upper arm bone that has a round head. If the cup-shaped surface of your shoulder bone that bears your upper arm bone is also damaged, doctors can level it and cap it with a plastic or metal and a plastic piece.
With the advancement in technology, orthopedic surgeons are trying a newer procedure called a reverse total shoulder replacement for people who have painful arthritis in their shoulder and also have damaged muscles around the shoulder. In this process, after the surgeon removes the dented bone and evens the ends, he or she attaches the rounded joint piece to the shoulder bone and uses the cup-shaped piece to replace the top of the upper arm bone.
Total shoulder replacement surgery is carried out in a hospital by experienced orthopedic surgeons with specialized training in shoulder replacement surgery.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by your physicians or trained medical personnel.
Author Bio:
Gilbert usually visits well-known orthopedic surgeons and write about their practices. Many people in US undergo Total Shoulder Replacement surgery, which helps them to return to their normal life. For more information visit: www.zehrcenter.com
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