Annual Strength & Structure Section
This procedure can restore quality of life for patients suffering from shoulder pain.
Understanding Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, where the upper arm bone fits into the socket of the shoulder. When this joint becomes damaged, it can cause pain, stiffness, inflammation, and loss of mobility that can interfere with even simple daily activities and negatively impact quality of life. Conditions that damage the shoulder joint include injuries and arthritis – most commonly osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that worsens over time.
When nonsurgical treatments no longer provide adequate relief for shoulder pain, surgical options may be recommended. Designed to reduce pain and restore joint function, total shoulder replacement, or arthroplasty, is a safe and effective procedure and one of the most common joint replacement surgeries performed in the U.S.
How It Works
First, anesthesia will be administered to the patient. The surgeon will then make an incision in the shoulder and remove the damaged bone and cartilage from the shoulder joint, replacing it with an implant made of metal and plastic. After realigning the arm and shoulder with the new, artificial joint, they will then close the incision, and surgery is complete. This procedure typically takes one to two hours. Recovery from total shoulder replacement takes several months, during which patients will receive physical therapy to help regain range of motion and strengthen the shoulder muscles.
Benefits and Outlook
Total shoulder replacement offers a long-lasting solution to shoulder pain. After recovery, patients can return to daily activities and enjoy significantly reduced discomfort and stiffness, improved shoulder movement and strength, and a better quality of life.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. As managing editor for CMC Media & Marketing Group, she is responsible for the development and completion of 16 publications involving health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope®, CityScope®, and Choose Chattanooga® magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia. Additionally, Rachel has led digital marketing initiatives for CMC Media & Marketing Group as well as the development of content for the introduction of Choose Huntsville™, Huntsville Resource & Relocation Guide™ for Huntsville, Alabama.
