Shoulder Replacement

Every year, nearly 53,000 Americans undergo shoulder replacement surgery to relieve chronic pain and improve their joint function. The expert orthopedic surgeons at North Point Orthopaedics offer minimally invasive shoulder replacement procedures to ease chronic pain from arthritis, fractures, and other conditions. They also specialize in reverse shoulder replacement surgeries to restore your joint mobility after a severe rotator cuff tear. Call the office in Munster or Crown Point, Indiana, today to find out if you’re a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery or book an appointment online. 

What is shoulder replacement?

Shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of your shoulder joint and replace it with an artificial joint implant.

North Point Orthopaedics also offers reverse shoulder replacements, in which the surgeons reverse the position of the ball and socket of the implant to increase your shoulder’s mobility.

You might be a candidate for shoulder replacement surgery if you have chronic, intense shoulder pain or disability that’s not treatable with other therapies. The providers may recommend shoulder replacement if you have severe:

• Fractures
• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Rheumatoid arthritis

The physicians perform comprehensive physical exams and diagnostic imaging tests on-site to determine if shoulder replacement surgery is right for you. The results of your testing help them identify which type of surgery you need.

What happens during shoulder replacement surgery?

During a traditional shoulder replacement surgery, the North Point Orthopaedics surgeons make a few incisions in your shoulder to access the joint. They remove either the damaged parts of your joint or the whole joint, depending on your needs. The surgeons may also remove inflamed or damaged tissues surrounding your joint.

After removing the joint and tissue, the surgeons implant an artificial joint made of metal and plastic materials. A metal ball replaces the ball of your joint, and a plastic cup device replaces your joint socket.

If you’re having reverse shoulder replacement to address severe rotator cuff tears, the surgeons reverse the position of the ball and socket. This technique connects the shoulder joint to your deltoid muscle instead of your rotator cuff to improve the stability of your shoulder

When your surgery is complete, the surgeons close your incisions, and you spend time recovering from anesthesia. Some people are able to go home to start their recovery the same day as their shoulder replacement procedure.

How long does it take to heal from shoulder replacement surgery?

Everyone heals at their own pace following shoulder replacement surgery. The North Point Orthopaedics physicians provide you with complete aftercare resources to lower your risk for infections and other postsurgical complications.

Within a few weeks of your surgery, your orthopedic specialist may recommend that you start physical therapy and at-home exercises to support your recovery. The on-site physical therapy services restore your shoulder joint’s flexibility and range of motion by rebuilding the muscles that surround your joint.

You can expect to need at least eight weeks of recovery time before you can start returning to your usual activities. The providers continue to monitor your healing progress and can let you know when it’s safe to resume strenuous exercises and heavy labor.

To schedule a shoulder replacement consultation, call the North Point Orthopaedics office nearest you today or book an appointment online.