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Shoulder Replacement
Overview
Best Shoulder Replacement Surgeon in Mumbai
Shoulder replacement removes damaged areas of bone and replaces them with parts made of metal and plastic (implants). This surgery is called shoulder arthroplasty (ARTH-row-plas-tee).
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The round head (ball) of the upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder. Damage to the joint can cause pain, weakness and stiffness.
Shoulder implants are available in a few different shapes and a range of sizes. Replacement options include partial and total using either anatomic or reverse implants.
Why it's done
Shoulder replacement surgery is done to relieve pain and other symptoms that result from damage to the shoulder joint.
Conditions that can damage the joint include:
- Osteoarthritis. Known as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis damages the cartilage that covers the ends of bones and helps joints move smoothly.
- Rotator cuff injuries. A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries sometimes can result in damage to cartilage and bone in the shoulder joint.
- Fractures. Fractures of the upper end of the humerus may require replacement, either as a result of the injury or when the prior surgery for fracture fixation has failed.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. Caused by an overactive immune system, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can damage the cartilage and occasionally the underlying bone in the joint.
- Osteonecrosis. Some types of shoulder conditions can affect blood flow to the humerus. When a bone is starved of blood, it can collapse.
Shoulder replacement procedures
Depending on the type of joint damage you have, your doctor may recommend one of the following shoulder replacement options:
- Anatomic total shoulder replacement. Both the ball and the socket are replaced. The implants resemble the natural shape of the bones.
- Reverse total shoulder replacement. Both the ball and the socket are replaced, but the implants are reversed. The ball is attached to the shoulder blade and the socket is attached to the upper arm bone. This option typically is preferred if the rotator cuff is severely damaged.
- Partial shoulder replacement. Only the head (ball) of the joint is replaced. It may be recommended when only the ball side of the joint is damaged.
Risks
Although rare, it’s possible that shoulder replacement surgery won’t lessen your pain or make it go away completely. The surgery may not fully restore the movement or strength of the joint. In some cases, another surgery may be needed.
Potential complications of shoulder replacement surgery include:
- Dislocation. It’s possible for the ball of your new joint to come out of the socket.
- Fracture. The humerus bone, the scapula, or the glenoid bone can break during or after surgery.
- Implant loosening. Shoulder replacement components are durable, but they may loosen or become worn over time. In some cases, you may need another surgery to replace the loose components.
- Rotator cuff failure. The group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint (the rotator cuff) occasionally wear out after a partial or total anatomic shoulder replacement.
- Nerve damage. Nerves in the area where the implant is placed can be injured. Nerve damage can cause numbness, weakness, and pain.
- Blood clots. Clots can form in the veins of the leg or arm after surgery. This can be dangerous because a piece of a clot can break off and travel to the lung, the heart, or rarely, the brain.
- Infection. Infection can occur at the incision site or in the deeper tissue. Surgery is sometimes needed to treat it.
How You Prepare
Tests Before The Surgery (Pre-operation Work-up)
Once you have decided to get operated we should do some blood tests to prepare your body for this surgery. This involves a check-up by an anaesthetist and a physiotherapist. These visits are geared to intimate you about the procedure followed during surgery and prepare you for a faster recovery. We will need to get some tests done. They are:
- Complete Blood Count
- ESR – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
- CRP – C Reactive Protein
- Blood Sugar – Fasting
- LFT – Liver function Test including S. Proteins and enzymes.
- S. Creatinine
- BUN
- S. Electrolytes
- HIV
- HbsAg
- HCV
- Blood Grouping
- Bleeding / Clotting time
- Prothrombin time / Index
- Urine – Routine / Microscopy
- Urine – Culture sensitivity
- ECG
- 2D Echo
- Xrays – Chest PA view – Both Knees – AP standing and lateral
- Special tests: Additional tests
- Blood sugar PP (2 hrs. After Lunch) – Diabetes
- Pulmonary function tests – Asthma
Admission to the Hospital
Click Here To Download the Instructions in PDF Format.
- Do not eat or drink anything from ________ time onward to ________ a date prior to surgery. This includes Water, tea coffee, etc. Do not drink alcohol or smoke 24 hrs before the surgery.
- All Pain medications like Voveran and Brufen should ideally be stopped 7 days before the Surgery. Blood Thinning Medicines like Aspirin (2 Days) or Clopedogrel need to be stopped 7 days before the surgery.
- Please removes all Jewellery before getting admitted to the hospital.
- Please get admitted with a Toothbrush, Tooth Paste, and Dettol/ Savlon Soap. Towel, Glasses, Hearing aids, Reading material, and Dentures.
- Please Get a list of all the medicines that you are taking daily and the time. Also, Get 1 strip of each medicine you are taking.
- Please get a list of the 2 closest relations, their relationship with you, and their Home/Office and mobile contact number and hand it to the sister to put on Indoor Hospital Paper.
- Please bring along all your blood tests and reports and CT/MRI films.
- Please get your Walker / Crutches if needed.
What You Can Expect
Before the procedure
Follow your surgeon’s directions about bathing, eating and taking medicines the day before and the day of surgery.
During the procedure
A team member will talk with you about how you’ll be sedated for surgery. Most people get general anesthesia and a nerve block. General anesthesia puts you into a deep sleep. The nerve block numbs your shoulder so that pain control can continue after you wake up from general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
After the procedure
After surgery, you’ll rest in a recovery area for a short time. X-rays will be obtained. Your shoulder will be in an immobilizer. Don’t try to move your shoulder unless you’re told to do so.
How long you stay after surgery depends on your individual needs. Many people can go home that same day.
Your shoulder replacement surgery at Surya Orthopedic Clinic,
If you’re planning to have shoulder replacement surgery at Surya Orthopedic Clinic, the above resources will explain what to expect and how to prepare.