What is shoulder replacement?

It is a construct designed to be surgically implanted and artificially replace the dysfunctional shoulder joint that cannot be cured by other treatments, having been damaged by various causes, including:

• Osteoarthritis (Artrosis).
• Arthritis.
• Proximal shoulder fracture.
• Tendon rupture.
• Poorly evolved fractures that did not heal properly.

Also called shoulder arthroplasty, the shoulder replacement substitutes the glenohumeral joint (located between the shoulder blade and the humeral head) to perform natural functions without experiencing pain or limitations of movement.

Types of Shoulder Replacement

According to the type of injury present, two main types of shoulder replacements have been developed:

Anatomic: Used to replace the head of the humerus when all rotator cuff tendons are intact. It reproduces the natural anatomy of the shoulder.

Inverted or Reverse: This is the most widely used prosthesis today for cases of osteoarthritis and chronic injuries with severe and irreparable damage to the rotator cuff tendons. Its design involves the inversion of the classic and anatomical prosthetic elements, allowing patients greater options for movement recovery and pain reduction.

Likewise, there are other types of shoulder replacements that are usually used depending on the injury or degenerative condition in question, in addition to taking into account the person’s age:

• Humeral surface replacement (resurfacing).
• Hemiarthroplasty.

Shoulder Replacement Surgical Implantation Procedure

The operation is performed with general anesthesia and brachial plexus block, which blocks the peripheral nerve, numbing the arm. This facilitates the procedure and significantly reduces post-operative pain.

The patient is placed in a position called the beach chair, and once anesthetized, an incision is made in the front part of the shoulder. In the case of osteoarthritis, the humeral head will be sectioned and the prosthesis implanted, taking care of the muscular tissue at all times to preserve its functionality and avoid subsequent movement problems.

The procedure lasts approximately two hours, and the patient remains hospitalized for five to six days.

Once discharged, the patient will continue their recovery at home, keeping the arm immobilized with a sling for the first month, only removing it to bathe and perform certain passive movement exercises that will help in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation must begin by following a program created and supervised by a physiotherapist, who will help the patient achieve the greatest possible recovery of movement, strength, and flexibility.

During this time, analgesics (painkillers) will be prescribed for pain, which will gradually decrease until it is no longer necessary to take them.

Although shoulder replacements are efficient and are usually successfully implanted in most cases, before resorting to this therapeutic option, the orthopedist must try other more conservative treatments. If these fail, they will set the standard for choosing shoulder replacement as an alternative.

At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center, we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the musculoskeletal system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.

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