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Know more about Shoulder Replacement

Overview

You might need shoulder replacement surgery if your shoulder gets severely injured or damaged. This surgery aims to relieve your pain by replacing the damaged area of your shoulder with an artificial implant. This surgery also helps in improving the mobility of the shoulder.

Types of shoulder replacement surgery

The different types of shoulder replacement surgeries are as follows:

Partial shoulder replacement: Here, only the ball that connects your arm to your upper body is replaced
Complete shoulder replacement: Here, the shoulder joint is completely replaced with artificial alternatives
Reverse shoulder replacement: Here, the ball’s and socket’s natural position is reversed. This is more complex than the other types of shoulder surgery.

When does one require shoulder replacement surgery?

You may need a shoulder replacement surgery if:

You have serious injuries on your shoulder
The pain is unbearable
You are suffering from severe arthritis
If medications and physical therapy haven’t been improving your shoulder pain

Who is an ideal candidate for shoulder replacement surgery?

One is considered to be an ideal candidate for shoulder replacement surgery if:

He has severe fractures
He has severe arthritis
None of the conventional methods have reduced pain
He is a non-smoker
He has well-functioning nerves
He has a healthy rotator cuff
His previous shoulder replacement has failed

Who should not consider shoulder replacement surgery?

Doctors may declare you to be an unfit candidate for a shoulder replacement surgery if:

You are an avid smoker. Smoking can create severe complications post-op.
Conventional methods like medicines and physical therapies are showing positive results
If you have severe allergies that could affect anesthesia badly
If your nerves are weak
If your rotator cuff isn’t healthy enough

What happens during a shoulder replacement surgery?

This procedure typically takes about 1-2 hours. The medical staff will administer anesthesia and never block. The anesthesia shall put you to sleep during the surgery, and the nerve block shall ensure that you feel minimal to no pain even after the surgery. The surgeon shall then make a cut on your shoulder to replace the bone with implants. You may need several days to recover from the surgery, but it would be worth it. Although, the exact procedure of the surgery varies depending on the injury’s nature and the type of surgery being performed.

How to prepare yourself for a shoulder replacement surgery

Shoulder replacement is major surgery, and you might want to prepare yourself beforehand for it. Here’s what you can do to be ready for it:

You are required to get an X-Ray, MRI and other imaging to help your doctor thoroughly examine the join
Disclose all pre-existing medical conditions to your doctor
The doctor may instruct you to avoid consumption of certain medications weeks before the surgery.
Cut down on alcohol
Try to do some beginner-level workouts
Avoid smoking since it could result in complications