Shoulder replacement surgery is a type of orthopedic procedure that has been performed successfully since the 1950s, involving the replacement of all or some of the series of shoulder bones, also known as the glenohumeral joint, with prosthetic implants. As with other common orthopedic surgeries such as hip replacement or knee replacement, this is commonly done as a treatment for arthritis, as well as in cases of damage such as bone fractures resulting from injury. The various kinds of arthritis involve degeneration of the surrounding cartilage, a substance that is supposed to cushion the bones where they meet when they move around one another.

Without the necessary cartilage, the bones can grind against one another, becoming quite painful, which is particularly severe in the case of the shoulder. The healthy shoulder is intended to be rotated through a wider range of degrees than any other joint in the body, through its unique ball-and socket-like mechanism. A loss of cartilage due to arthritis means loss of mobility for the patient and a reduction in the angles at which this joint can be swiveled without enduring serious, and sometimes prolonged pain.

The prosthetic shoulder replacement is designed to mimic the ball and socket action of the natural shoulder joint, with components being made of metal or plastic. It can be of either the cemented or the uncemented variety, depending on the circumstances of the surrounding tissues. X-rays will be used to determine the specific nature of the damage, which in severe instances can include chipped, loose pieces of bone buried within the muscle tissue where the bones have been grinding against one another.

Alternative options for non-surgical treatment are typically exhausted beforehand, including physical therapy, prolonged periods of rest, and heat or ice treatments to relieve pain, medicines for arthritis, and injections of cortisone. Shoulder surgery seems to be more of a last ditch solution if these should fail, but it also can be the only remaining solution when cartilage degeneration has progressed to the point of direct bone on bone friction and grinding.

It is to the patient’s advantage to seek out the most experienced specialist available if shoulder replacement should become necessary, as this is still considered an relatively difficult operation, and one requiring many evaluations and decisions to be made on a case by case basis. For example, the conventional shoulder joint replacement involves attaching a ball piece to the arm, and the socket piece to the shoulder blade. However, for certain individuals, greater mobility can be acquired by utilising a more recently developed technique known as reverse total shoulder replacement, in which the socket piece is instead attached to the arm, while the ball component is fitted to the shoulder bone.

Shoulder replacement surgery also entails a lengthy recovery time. Following the procedure, it is necessary to wear the arm in a sling for some four to six weeks; cars may not be driven by the patient during this time. Because of the highly complex nature of the procedure, a far smaller number of such operations are performed each year – about 23,000 in the US – in comparison to knee and hip replacements, which number approximately 350,000 each per year in the US.

Visit our website today to see how the Orthopaedic & Spinal Center can help you. We perform a wide range of orthopedic procedures, including treating painful and debilitating hand conditions – see our website for more information.

Visit our http://www.osc-ortho.com website today to see how the Orthopaedic & Spinal Center can help you. We perform a wide range of orthopedic procedures, including treating painful and debilitating hand conditions – see our http://www.osc-ortho.com/services/hand.html website for more information.

Author Bio: Visit our website today to see how the Orthopaedic & Spinal Center can help you. We perform a wide range of orthopedic procedures, including treating painful and debilitating hand conditions – see our website for more information.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Medicine, Health, Sports