THE FACTS ABOUT Minimally Invasive Total Shoulder Replacement

Background

The shoulder, or the glenohumeral joint, is comprised of three bones: the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle) and the upper arm bone (humerus). The shoulder is a ball and socket joint because the head of the humeral bone rests in a socket in the shoulder blade.

When the joint is healthy, movements and rotations are smooth and painless. However, repetitive motion, trauma, and arthritis can damage the joint and inhibit mobility and functionality, cause pain and severely diminish an individual’s quality of life.  If this is the case, a total shoulder replacement, or arthroplasty, may be the best solution.
   
Similar to total knee and total hip replacement, a total shoulder replacement involves removing the damaged parts of the joint and replacing them with new, artificial parts made from a combination of durable, wear-resistant plastic and metals—including stainless steel and titanium.

Total shoulder replacement surgery is usually considered after other conservative, non-surgical therapies—such as pain medications and physical therapy have failed to offer relief. Following surgery and recovery, nearly all patients experience a substantial relief of pain.

“Most patients undergo a total shoulder replacement as a result of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, but many consider this surgery if they have loss of motion and severe pain and stiffness as these factors can diminish a patients quality of life,” says Dr. Richard Bartholomew, D.O. a St. Joseph Mercy Oakland orthopedic surgeon.