Shoulder replacement at your hometown hospital
Is severe shoulder pain interfering with your daily activities or sleep, making it difficult for you to reach into cabinets, get dressed, go to the bathroom, or clean up? If so, you may be a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery. Shoulder replacement or arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which the shoulder joint or the “ball and socket”, is removed or partially removed and replaced with metal and hard plastic portions. There are several types of shoulder replacements that are performed, these include a traditional or anatomic replacement, reverse shoulder replacements, or hemi arthroplasties, which is a partial shoulder replacement due to a significant fracture.
The Orthopedic experts at Tomah Health will evaluate your circumstances and health to determine if a full shoulder or partial shoulder replacement is the best way to help reduce your pain and hopefully improve your range of motion.
Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint: The ball, or head, of your upper arm bone, fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade. This socket is called the glenoid.
Conditions that can cause a breakdown of the shoulder joint and may require shoulder replacement surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis-cartilage on the ends of the bone that help your shoulder joint work appropriately is wearing thin.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis-a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain and swelling.
- Osteonecrosis-the death of bone caused by inefficient blood supply also known as avascular necrosis.
- Injury
- Fracture
- Moderate to severe pain while resting or sleeping, can be enough to prevent a good night’s sleep.
- Failure to improve symptoms with other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Naprosyn, etc.), cortisone injections, and/or physical or occupational therapy.
Although shoulder joint replacement is less common than knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain. Shoulder replacement surgery involves removing the damaged, arthritic portions of the bone, and replacing them with metal and plastic implants. Surgery is typically performed after other treatment measures such as therapy, injections, and anti-inflammatories have been tried. The shoulder has the largest amount of movement of all the joints in the body, and replacing this joint involves a significant team effort with our therapy department and the patient to regain as much mobility and function as possible.
For information about our Orthopedic Department, contact Tomah Health at 608-372-2181.
For additional information regarding scheduling and appointments, call 608-377-8224.