Shoulder replacement surgery (also called shoulder arthroplasty) involves replacing damaged parts of the shoulder joint with artificial components. It's commonly done for severe arthritis, rotator cuff tears, or serious fractures.
💡 When Is Shoulder Replacement Recommended?
You may be a candidate if you have:
Severe shoulder arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
Chronic shoulder pain that doesn’t improve with therapy or injections
Massive rotator cuff tears that cause arthritis (“cuff tear arthropathy”)
Serious shoulder fractures (often in older adults)
Failure of previous shoulder surgeries
🔧 Types of Shoulder Replacement
Total Shoulder Replacement (Anatomic)
Both the ball (humeral head) and socket (glenoid) are replaced
Requires an intact rotator cuff
Best for arthritis with good rotator cuff function
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Ball and socket positions are reversed
Best for patients with a damaged or non-functioning rotator cuff
Allows other muscles (like the deltoid) to compensate for movement
Partial Shoulder Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)
Only the humeral head is replaced
Used in specific fracture cases or less severe arthritis
🏥 What Happens During Surgery?
Done under general anesthesia
Takes about 1.5–2.5 hours
Damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and plastic implants
Usually a 1–2 day hospital stay, though some are outpatient
