Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Don't Let Pain Control Your Life
Shoulder issues, including injuries and arthritis, can make once-simple arm movements uncomfortable or difficult. But there’s no need to let the pain control your life.
At St. Peter’s Health Partners, you receive an exceptional level of care, including high-quality shoulder joint replacement surgery. Our experienced team helps more patients eliminate shoulder pain and get back to their busy lives.
What Is Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of your:
- Tip of the arm bone (humerus), which is the ball
- Shoulder blade (scapula), the socket, which includes a hollowed-out surface that forms a snug fit with the humerus
- Rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that hold the ball and socket in place
St. Peter’s Health Partners offers two shoulder replacement options:
- Standard shoulder replacement may be right for you if your rotator cuff is healthy.
- Reverse shoulder replacement is for people with rotator cuff issues or those who’ve had unsuccessful shoulder replacement surgery.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery at St. Peter’s Health Partners: Why Choose Us?
As one of the region’s highest-volume providers, we perform hundreds of procedures each year. We consistently achieve excellent results, including low complication rates, so you can count on us for long-lasting pain relief.
Highlights of our program include:
- Expertise: Highly skilled orthopedic surgeons specializing in shoulder replacement surgery deliver personalized treatments. We determine whether standard or reverse shoulder replacement is right for you. And our attention to detail during and after surgery gives you the best chances for good results. Find a doctor.
- Meticulous planning: We use 3D imaging technology to create a custom template of your shoulder. This template helps us select the implant that fits your unique shape. We also use the template to implant the replacement device with a high degree of accuracy.
- Efficiency: Our focus on your needs means you won’t have to wait long to feel better. Our scheduler keeps insurance approval and preoperative testing moving forward. The operating room team assists the surgeon in delivering precise care. Nurses and therapists are in regular contact with you during recovery.
- Education: Our team helps you make informed decisions at every turn. In the earlier stages of your care, nonsurgical treatments may help you get relief so you can delay surgery. Once you’re on track for surgery, we explain what to expect in detail, so you recover as quickly as possible.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery: What to Expect
If shoulder pain is getting in the way of your daily life, joint replacement surgery can put you back in control.
Here’s what to expect:
Evaluation
The surgeon reviews your X-rays and listens as you describe the pain. We explain whether a standard or reverse joint replacement may be right for you and what recovery looks like. We then discuss with you whether now is the right time to move forward with surgery.
Nonsurgical therapies
Nonsurgical therapies provide temporary relief that enables you to pursue shoulder replacement surgery when it’s right for you. Your care may include activity modifications, such as avoiding activities that irritate or strain sensitive shoulder tissue. You may also benefit from pain medications or cortisone injections to reduce inflammation.
Shoulder replacement surgery
We remove the damaged joint and replace it using the technique the best meets your needs:
- Standard shoulder replacement surgery: You receive a replacement device that’s similar to your natural shoulder. A cup-shaped part fits into your socket, and a metal ball attaches to the top of your humerus.
- Reverse shoulder replacement surgery: The replacement device’s ball and socket are in reverse order. The ball attaches to the socket, and the cup-shaped piece attaches to the humerus. This way, you engage muscles other than your rotator cuff to lift your arm.
Recovery
Some patients go home the day of surgery. You may be eligible for this option if you do not have other health conditions and can follow self-care instructions. Nurses and therapists ensure you receive timely recovery services so you can safely return home. Explore our enhanced recovery program for joint replacement.
If you are not eligible for the enhanced recovery program, you receive the same level of care from our nurses and therapists, but on a different timeline. Most patients go home the next day.
A nurse calls you to ask about your pain and activity levels. If you need assistance, we offer helpful suggestions. Our team continues providing personalized care through follow-up appointments.