The shoulder joint consists of three upper arm bones, scapula and clavicle. The head of the humerus is located in a ball-and-socket joint in the scapula. This ball and socket joint is called glenoid. The shoulder joint is structurally and functionally complex because it is one of the most freely movable joints in the body and supports the upper body.
In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components called prostheses in order to relieve pain, restore movement, strength and function of the shoulder. This surgery is called arthroplasty
Causes of shoulder joint replacement
Severe pain in the shoulder and shoulder area leads to disruption of the person’s daily tasks and activities, such as dressing, doing personal chores and daily activities. Some of these injuries include the following:
Osteoarthritis
One of the causes of pain in the shoulder area, especially in the elderly, is osteoarthritis, which is usually caused by work or heavy exercise, but genetic factors may also be involved. Its main symptoms are pain and limited movement
Rheumatoid arthritis
It is a type of arthritis and wear and tear of the joint that occurs at any age and is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the joints becomes inflamed. The shoulder is often affected by this condition, causing pain and reduced function
Rotator cuff injury
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Sometimes a rotator cuff injury can lead to severe pain in the cartilage and bone area of the shoulder joint
Serious shoulder injuries
Severe fractures in the shoulder area due to an accident are other reasons for shoulder surgery because it will be difficult to place the broken bone in its original and natural place, and if the bone is placed incorrectly, the person will suffer a lot of pain and discomfort
How can shoulder joint replacement surgery be avoided?
There are 3 ways to avoid shoulder replacement surgery:
Physiotherapy
A great way to improve overall shoulder health and build the muscles around the joint is through physical therapy
Change of activity
Avoiding activities that put undue stress on your shoulder can help prevent injury
Supplements and medications
Taking nutritional supplements and painkillers can improve the function of the injured shoulder to some extent, but it is not a definitive treatment
Complications of shoulder joint replacement surgery
Although most joint replacement surgeries are performed successfully and the possibility of complications due to the operation is rare, however, we examine some of these complications:
infection
Infection can occur at the incision site or in deeper tissue. Antibiotics are usually prescribed at the time of surgery to reduce the risk of infection, but sometimes surgery is needed to treat it
Prosthesis loosening
Replacement shoulder components are durable, but may loosen or wear out over time. In some cases, you may need another surgery to replace loose components
nerve damage
The nerves in the area where the prosthesis is placed may be damaged. Nerve damage can cause numbness, weakness, and pain
blood clotting
After surgery, a clot may form in the veins of the arm. This can be dangerous because a piece of the clot can break off and travel to the lung, heart, or rarely the brain
displacement
It is possible that your new ball joint will come out of the socket
Recovery period of shoulder joint replacement surgery
The degree of recovery after shoulder joint replacement surgery depends on the time it takes for the tendons to heal. After the surgery, the specialist doctor prescribes antibiotics for the patient to prevent infection, which is very important to use on time. The recovery time varies from person to person, but in general, it takes about two months for the patient to regain the strength of their shoulders and start doing their daily activities
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