Shoulder replacement

Alternative Names: Total shoulder arthroplasty; Endoprosthetic shoulder replacement; Partial shoulder replacement; Partial shoulder arthroplasty; Replacement - shoulder; Arthroplasty - shoulder

Shoulder replacement is surgery to replace the bones of the shoulder joint with artificial joint parts.

Description of Procedure

You will receive anesthesia before this surgery. Two types of anesthesia can be used:

• General anesthesia, which means you will be unconscious and unable to feel pain.
• Regional anesthesia to numb your arm and shoulder area so that you do not feel any pain in this area. If you receive regional anesthesia, you will also be given medicine to help you relax during the operation.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The round end of the arm bone fits into the opening at the end of the shoulder blade, called the socket. This type of joint allows you to move your arm in most directions.

For total shoulder replacement, the round end of your arm bone will be replaced with an artificial stem that has a rounded metal head. The socket part of your shoulder blade will be replaced with a smooth plastic shell (lining) that will be held in place with a special cement. If only 1 of these 2 bones needs to be replaced, the surgery is called a partial shoulder replacement or a hemiarthroplasty.

For shoulder joint replacement, your surgeon will make an incision (cut) over your shoulder joint to open up the area. Then your surgeon will:

• Remove the head (top) of your upper arm bone (humerus)
• Cement the new metal head and stem into place
• Smooth the surface of the old socket and cement the new one in place
• Close your incision with staples or sutures
• Place a dressing (bandage) over your wound

Your surgeon may place a drain in this area to carry out fluid that may build up in the joint. The drain will be removed when you no longer need it.

This surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours.

Risks of Shoulder replacement

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risk for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Blood clot
• Infection

Risks of shoulder replacement surgery are:

• Allergic reaction to the artificial joint
• Blood vessel damage during surgery
• Bone break during surgery
• Nerve damage during surgery
• Dislocation of the artificial joint
• Loosening of the implant over time

Review Date: 12/20/2010
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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