When Should I Consider Shoulder Replacement?

Key Takeaways:
Shoulder replacement surgery can be an effective solution for chronic shoulder pain caused by arthritis, rotator cuff tears or traumatic injury when nonsurgical treatments fail. Candidates typically experience persistent pain, limited range of motion and loss of strength that interfere with daily activities. Depending on the extent of joint damage, your surgeon may recommend total, partial or reverse shoulder replacement to restore mobility and function. Clinical research shows shoulder replacements have a 90–95% success rate, with most patients reporting significant pain relief and improved quality of life within months after surgery.

The shoulder is one of the most heavily used joints in your body and is responsible for a wide range of arm movements. This heavy usage creates many opportunities for your shoulder joint to become damaged. Over time, you may develop shoulder pain from a repetitive use injury, a traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis. If minimally invasive treatments such as physical therapy, pain medications or injections are unable to alleviate your chronic pain, shoulder replacement may be the best option to regain proper shoulder mobility and restore a pain free life.

Common Reasons You May Need Shoulder Replacement

There are a variety of conditions which may result in the need for shoulder replacement surgery. Some of the most common reasons for shoulder replacement include:

• Torn rotator cuff
• Osteoarthritis
• Shoulder fracture
• Avascular necrosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Shoulder tendon injuries
• Shoulder impingement
• Implant failure or a poor outcome from a previous shoulder replacement

Warning Signs That You May Need Shoulder Replacement

There are a wide range of symptoms and warning signs that indicate you may need to consider shoulder replacement. These include:

• Severe Chronic Pain – Chronic pain that severely restricts your ability to perform daily activities or that persists when you’re resting or trying to sleep
• Shoulder Stiffness and Weakness – Struggling to move your arm freely or having difficulty lifting objects with your arm
• Limited Range of Motion – Everyday tasks such as getting dressed, brushing your hair or reaching into a cabinet become challenging due to an inability to move your arm properly
• Pain, Popping or Cracking Sensation – Feeling like your shoulder is popping, grinding or cracking is a sign that your cartilage is worn down and bones in the shoulder joint are rubbing together

While these signs may indicate that you need shoulder replacement, most orthopedic physicians won’t recommend surgery until more conservative treatments have been exhausted. If options such as pain medicine, steroid injections or physical therapy have failed to alleviate the symptoms discussed above, then it may be time to consider shoulder replacement.

Am I a Candidate for Shoulder Replacement?

If you haven’t experienced relief from nonsurgical treatments, then it may be time to speak with a shoulder surgeon. During your initial appointment, your shoulder surgeon will perform a thorough diagnostic assessment to determine the precise cause of your condition and evaluate your candidacy for shoulder replacement. This assessment will include a detailed review of your medical history, a physical exam to evaluate your shoulder strength, stability and range of motion, and imaging such as x-rays or an MRI to confirm the specific damage to your shoulder joint.

In general, ideal shoulder replacement candidates:

• Experience persistent, severe shoulder pain that interferes with daily activities and may negatively impact your ability to sleep
• Have reduced function, strength and range of motion in their shoulder joint
• Have been diagnosed with joint disease such as severe osteoarthritis
• Have suffered a traumatic injury that has resulted in significant damage to the shoulder joint

What Happens During Shoulder Replacement?

During shoulder replacement surgery, a small incision is made in front of the shoulder to access the joint. Your shoulder surgeon will remove the damaged portion of the joint and replace it with an artificial prosthetic joint. Your arm and shoulder are then realigned before the incision is closed.

There are three different types of shoulder replacement procedures:

• Total Shoulder Replacement – The ball and socket of your shoulder joint are replaced with an implant consisting of a metal ball and plastic socket.
• Partial Shoulder Replacement – Only the ball portion of the joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant.
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement – The ball and socket placement is switched. This allows the big muscle on the side of the shoulder to move more efficiently in situations where the rotator cuff has been compromised.

What Is the Success Rate of Shoulder Replacement?

Shoulder replacement surgery has a very high success rate, with approximately 90-95% of patients experiencing reduced pain and improved function after surgery, and satisfaction rates that typically exceed 85-90%. This data indicates that patients not only experience a good surgical outcome, but are also generally happy with the results of their procedure.

In addition, a study by the Cleveland Clinic found that patients experienced significant improvement in pain and function within three months of surgery, with continued improvement over the next two years.

Clinical research has found that approximately 90% of shoulder implants last at least 10 years, and patients continue to report meaningful improvement in pain and function at the 10-year mark. With proper care, your implant can potentially last well beyond 10 years. Regularly engaging in gentle stretching and strengthening exercises will help you support your new shoulder implant and improve stability in the prosthetic joint. In addition, you can prevent premature wear on your new shoulder joint by limiting the number of times you lift heavy objects over your head.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Can Help Restore a Pain Free Life

If you’ve been experiencing chronic shoulder pain that hasn’t improved with conservative treatments, shoulder replacement may be the right option for you. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we can help you restore a pain free life. Our team consists of some of the finest board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons on the Western Slope. This level of expertise has helped us raise the bar for surgical outcomes among our rural community.

Our shoulder replacement procedures are performed by Dr. Rhett Griggs. Dr. Griggs is board-certified with a fellowship in orthopedic shoulder, elbow and hand surgery. Shoulder replacement is an area of specialization for Dr. Griggs, and he has been performing these procedures for nearly 20 years. This specialization allows CAO to deliver some of the best shoulder replacement outcomes on the Western Slope.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, Grand Junction and throughout the Western Slope.