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Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Relevant information about Shoulder Replacement Surgery.The shoulder consists of the humeral head (the “ball” portion of the joint) and the glenoid (part of the scapula and the “socket” portion of the joint). The two of them fit and rub together as the shoulder is in motion. Shoulder Replacement Surgery is a procedure for the treatment of strong pain and stiffness that is caused by severe arthritis of the shoulder joint. Arthritis is a serious condition that damages the joints of the body, and when the protective lining between the bones is lost, it produces severe pain causing arthritis and loss of motion of the shoulder. Shoulder arthritis is very painful and it can be treated with medications. However, surgery will eventually be needed. After the surgery, the pain will be relieved, and the motion and function will be restored. The symptoms that are related to severe arthritis of the shoulder are: pain, stiffness, loss of motion, tenderness and swelling of the joint, sensation of grinding within the shoulder joint. X-rays are taken for determining the condition of the shoulder joint as well as a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Patients whose rotator cuff and deltoid muscles are paralyzed, patients who have symptoms that are not disabling, those with the area infected and patients that are suffering from a nervous system disease are not good candidates for the surgery. On the other side, the patients that might be candidates for the Shoulder Replacement Surgery are those who have already tried every treatment and have felt neither pain relief nor restoration of the shoulder motion. Before undergoing Shoulder Replacement Surgery, some patients in the early stages of arthritis are recommended to take basic treatments, such as physical therapy, which will stretch the muscles that are located around the shoulder joint in order to prevent the atrophy of the muscles; joint supplements, which is still under research but have produced relief in numerous patients; anti-inflammatory medications; and cortisone injections, which may reduce symptoms and pain. The principal aim of the surgery is alleviate the severe pain and recover the shoulder motion, function and strength. In order to perform the total shoulder replacement surgery, general anesthesia is used. The objective is achieved by the replacement of the damaged bone, the humeral head (the ball) and the glenoid (the socket). The ball is withdrawn from the top of the humerus and it is substituted by a metal implant, as well as the socket portion that is replaced with another implant, which is put into the scapula. The metal implant of the humerus is connected to a stem which is introduced into the center of the upper arm bone. Despite the existence of a vast number of kinds of implants, they all have the same component which is a metal ball that lies against a plastic socket. After the surgery is performed, as part of the rehabilitation process, the patient will feel pain, not the same that he/she had before the surgery, but pain caused due to the surgery. The pain that was inflicted by the arthritis will be gone. A series of x-rays will be done in order to confirm that the implant that was placed in the surgery is perfectly positioned. The patients will experience physical therapy. In addition, they will realize that the motion and activity of the shoulder is becoming easier as the time goes by and the muscle and bone are exercised. The condition of the muscles before the surgery is essential, because if they are in a good condition, the rehabilitation process will be minimal. That is to say that the post-operational rehab of the patient’s shoulder is influenced by his/her muscles and tendons. Four weeks must pass before the patient stars using its arm. However, it is only destined to do light and non-demanding activities. Further, after eight weeks from the moment of the surgery, the use of the arm is not restricted. Returning to work or to their jobs is considered heavy work, so the doctors recommend going back to work within four months after the surgery. The time can be extended depending on the progress of the strength and movement of the shoulder. However, deskwork can be taken after three or four weeks after the procedure. Approximately 95% of the patients that have undergone the operation feel no pain and are able to exercise the shoulder with a great amount of freedom; and the other 5% has occasional ache due to excessive activity or the weather conditions. Shoulder stiffness, nerve damage, infection and glenoid loosening are among the possible complications, which do not happen frequently, after submitting to the total shoulder replacement surgery. Regular and constant rehabilitation exercises are a key element in order to not suffer these complications and reach as much benefit possible. The total shoulder replacement surgery is a successful procedure that achieves the alleviation of the shoulder pain and the restoration of mobility.
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