Revision Shoulder Replacement Specialist

What is revision shoulder replacement?

Shoulder joint replacement is a complex procedure that’s often quite successful. However, not all patients get the results they anticipated. And in some cases, the original joint replacement starts to have problems over time.

When you continue to have pain and stiffness after a joint replacement, you may want to talk with Dr. Morris about revision shoulder replacement, which is surgery to repair or replace your prosthesis.

What causes a shoulder joint replacement to fail?

Your shoulder consists of four separate joints, so joint replacement is a complex procedure in which damaged bones and cartilage are removed and replaced with metal and plastic components.

There are many possible reasons a joint replacement can fail that are not related to the quality of your original procedure. Ongoing wear and tear can make the prosthetic components come loose, or scar tissue may develop that causes joint stiffness. Or you may have an infection on or around the prosthetic parts, leading to bone degeneration and instability.

The bones around the replacement pieces may fracture, allowing the prosthetic to loosen. Bone spurs could develop that interfere with joint movement. The rotator cuff muscles and tendons may weaken, affecting the biomechanics of the entire joint.

What symptoms indicate I may need revision shoulder replacement?

As your shoulder replacement fails, you experience symptoms similar to those you had before your replacement surgery. Persistent pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms.

Your shoulder replacement may feel so stiff that you can’t move your arm through its full range of motion. You may also have joint instability that feels like the prosthetic components are loose or may dislocate.

How is revision shoulder replacement performed?

The revision procedure you have depends on the cause of your joint replacement failure. Dr. Morris must determine if your prosthetic shoulder is infected, unstable, worn, or loosened, and why the problem occurred. Then he can recommend the best revision surgery.

After repairing problems with the existing bones and soft tissues, Dr. Morris may remove and replace all or part of your shoulder prosthesis. If you have an infection, he typically removes the entire joint replacement and treats the infection before giving you a new shoulder prosthesis. 

If you still have pain and stiffness after a previous shoulder joint replacement, call Brent J. Morris, MD.