Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder Replacement Surgery In ND
Shoulder replacement surgery involves removing all or part of the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder and replacing it with a prosthesis. During the surgery, damaged bone and cartilage are surgically removed and parts made of surgical-grade metal or plastic material are implanted in their place.
A shoulder replacement is typically done to relieve pain in the joint due to arthritis or trauma and to restore movement and function of the shoulder. Types of shoulder replacement surgeries include:
- Total shoulder replacement – When both the “ball” of the upper arm (humerus) and the “socket” of the shoulder blade (scapula) are replaced with artificial parts. It is also sometimes called total shoulder arthroplasty. On the other hand, a partial shoulder replacement is when just the ball of the upper arm (humerus) is replaced with a prosthetic part.
- Reverse shoulder replacement – Patients with significant rotator cuff injuries may be advised to undergo a reverse shoulder joint replacement surgery. In this procedure, the “ball” and “socket” prostheses are reversed – a ball added to the shoulder blade and socket to the upper arm – in order to bypass the rotator cuff, relying instead on the deltoid muscle to power the arm.
- Shoulder revision surgery – A shoulder revision is undertaken to correct complications from a previous surgery. In the case of a shoulder replacement, revision surgery may be necessary if the prosthesis becomes loose due to wear, dislocation, or bone loss or erosion. Post-surgical infection can also result in the need for a revision surgery. However, this is rare; the vast majority of shoulder replacement surgeries are safe and successful.
If you need a shoulder replacement, your joint replacement surgeon will explain which surgical approach is right for you and what to expect. For an appointment, call The Bone & Joint Center at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 or visit our appointment request page to learn more.
