When might shoulder replacement surgery be required for a patient?

When the shoulder is impacted by pain, injury, or degeneration, a doctor at Orthopedic Associates of Long Island may consider the benefits of recommending total shoulder replacement surgery. This procedure is less invasive than it used to be, thanks to the advances available in medicine and improvements made with arthroscopes that can greatly reduce the scarring and disruption of the shoulder and surrounding areas during the procedure.

Why might my doctor recommend shoulder replacement surgery?

There are many situations in which the team of professionals at Orthopedic Associates of Long Island may recommend surgical replacement. Below are a few of the best candidates for the procedure who may want to consider the advantages of moving forward with this procedure. It includes patients:

• With pain and stiffness that interrupts sleep
• Experiencing long-term, chronic shoulder pain impacting their quality of life
• Suffering from degenerative arthritis, or osteoarthritis
• Who have had shoulder surgery failure in the past
• With tumors in the shoulder area
• With severe fractures or damaged tissues
• Unable to find relief with more conservative treatment methods including physical therapy
• Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis who have experienced damage to the shoulder cartilage from inflammation
• With reduced range of motion and weakness in the shoulder
• Dealing with avascular necrosis

What can I expect from shoulder replacement surgery?

Proper anesthetics are used to ensure patients are comfortable during the procedure. This may include regional or general anesthesia. The surgeon creates an incision to expose the damaged joint and removes the bone to prepare the joint for the artificial implant. A strong alloy metal prosthetic is then fit over the joint and bone and cemented in place for optimum stability. The doctor will also remove cartilage and bone from the scapula and then replace the bone with an artificial glenoid piece if patients are diagnosed with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Once the artificial components are in place, the incision is closed and the procedure is complete.

Learn more about shoulder replacement surgery with Orthopedic Associates of Long Island

Call (631) 689-6698 to request an appointment with a professional at any one of our seven convenient locations throughout the Long Island area. We are here to service patients in and around the communities of Wading River, Commack, Patchogue, Setauket, Southampton, and West Babylon.