When your shoulder joint is severely damaged by arthritis, trauma, or other serious conditions, you may need total shoulder replacement surgery to relieve pain and regain function. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Brent J. Morris, MD, has significant experience in total shoulder replacement surgery. If you’re interested in this procedure, contact his Lexington, KY office today to schedule a consultation.
Total shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure in which Dr. Morris replaces your shoulder joint with a prosthetic one. The goal of the procedure is to alleviate pain and help you use your shoulder normally again.
Your shoulder joint is a large ball-and-socket joint composed of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. In a total shoulder replacement, Dr. Morris replaces the shoulder’s socket with a prosthetic cup. He also replaces the humeral head with a metal ball. Once Dr. Morris has removed the damaged parts of your shoulder and replaced them, you should experience less pain and eventually regain mobility.
Total shoulder replacement is usually necessary when you have severe damage in your shoulder joint that causes ongoing pain. In most cases, Dr. Morris recommends total shoulder replacement only when less invasive treatment options have been unsuccessful at relieving pain.
Most people who have total shoulder replacement surgery have a history of arthritis or fractures that caused permanent damage to parts of the shoulder joint. Before recommending shoulder surgery, Dr. Morris may ask you to attempt to relieve your pain with physical therapy and medication if you have one of these conditions.
In most cases, patients need to stay in the hospital for at least one to three days after the procedure. After you return home, you continue to recover. During the first six weeks, Dr. Morris typically recommends restrictions on your activities. After this period, you’re able to increase your use of your shoulder gradually until you’ve regained normal strength and function.
Shoulder surgery patients usually need physical therapy to promote healing and recover function. Following all of Dr. Morris’ recovery instructions carefully is the best way to ensure that you heal as quickly and completely as possible.
Total shoulder replacement is an invasive procedure. Like all other surgical procedures, it carries a risk of allergic reactions to anesthesia, infection, and excessive bleeding, as well as injury to surrounding tissues. In rare cases, total shoulder replacement surgery may fail, but as an expert in the field, Dr. Morris has an excellent track record for success.
