Essay On Shoulder Replacement

Making the decision to have a total shoulder replacement should be a topic discussed between the individual considering the surgery as well as the individual’s family, general practitioner and orthopaedic surgeon.
Who Needs to Have Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

Initially, the majority of individuals with arthritis in their shoulder will be prescribed conventional treatments, such as mild analgesics and physical therapy. However, if these conventional treatments fail and an individual’s quality of life is negatively affected, he or she may want to consider shoulder replacement surgery.

Individuals who benefit from shoulder replacement surgery frequently have:

Weakness and/or decreased range of motion in the shoulder. Severe pain that …show more content…
In addition, individuals who have tried other conventional treatments, but are still in pain. These conventional treatments may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and/or cortisone injections.

An individual who has fractures within his or her shoulder should also consider total shoulder replacement surgery.
What is a Total Shoulder Replacement?

Typically, during a total shoulder replacement surgery the patient’s arthritic joint surfaces are replaced with a plastic socket and smooth metal ball with an attached stem. These mechanisms are available in a variety of sizes and may be cemented or ‘press fit’ into the patient’s bone. The ‘press fit’ technique is utilized when the patient’s humeral bone is solid; however, if this bone is soft, the humeral component may be implanted using bone cement. In the majority of cases, a plastic socket (glenoid) is implanted using bone cement.

Using a glenoid component (plastic socket) is not recommended if the:

glenoid bone itself is severely deficient; cartilage of the glenoid bone is in good shape; or tendons of the rotator cuff are torn beyond