Shoulder Replacement

If you suffer from unrelenting shoulder pain from an injury or chronic condition like arthritis, you may be a candidate for total shoulder replacement. Karl Siebuhr, MD, Jonathan Kletter, PA-C, and the team at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida perform shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement procedures at their offices in Ocala, Florida. To find out if shoulder replacement is right for you, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is total shoulder replacement?

Total shoulder replacement, also called shoulder arthroplasty, is a highly successful procedure that involves removing damaged parts of your shoulder joint and replacing them with artificial (prosthetic) components. The goal of shoulder replacement surgery is to relieve pain and improve function so you can resume the activities you enjoy. 

What is reverse total shoulder replacement?

The expert team at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida performs both conventional and reverse total shoulder replacement procedures. A conventional total shoulder replacement mimics the natural anatomy of your shoulder, replacing the shoulder socket (glenoid) with a plastic cup and the head of your upper arm bone (humerus) with a metal ball.

Reverse total shoulder replacement switches the positions of the socket and ball. In this type of procedure, your surgeon attaches a metal ball to the glenoid socket and fixes a plastic cup to the top of your humerus. 

If you have large tears in your rotator cuff due to arthritis (cuff tear arthropathy), reverse total shoulder replacement may work better for you. While the conventional procedure requires you to use your rotator cuff, the reverse procedure allows different muscles to move your arm.

What does shoulder replacement surgery treat?

Advanced arthritis of the shoulder is the most common reason people get replacement surgery. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Other common causes for shoulder replacement surgery include avascular necrosis and severe shoulder fractures.

What should I expect from a shoulder replacement procedure?

First, your Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida surgeon carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical exam to ensure you’re a good candidate for shoulder replacement. If you have severe shoulder pain that interferes with daily activities and doesn’t improve with non-surgical treatment, shoulder replacement may be right for you.

Then, your Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida surgeon creates an individualized plan for your particular needs. They explain the details of your procedure and answer any questions you may have. Every patient is unique, but most shoulder replacement procedures take about two hours and usually require an overnight hospital stay.

To learn more about total shoulder replacement, call Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida, or book an appointment online today.