Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery

The operation to replace the arthritic shoulder with an artificial shoulder joint replacement may be done in one of two ways.

If the socket portion of your shoulder is still in fairly good shape, meaning there is still some particular  cartilage left on the surface, only the ball portion may be replaced. This is known as a hemiarthroplasty ("hemi" means half and "arthroplasty" means "reconstruction" of a joint). A hemiarthroplasty is commonly done following fractures of the shoulder - either right away instead of fixing the fracture or later if the ball portion looses its blood supply.

If the socket (glenoid) portion of your shoulder is worn away as well, you will need to have it replaced. When both the ball portion and the socket portion of the shoulder are replaced, it is referred to as a total shoulder arthroplasty. To perform an artificial shoulder joint replacement, you will  be require a general anesthesia.  

The operation begins by making an incision through the skin in the front of the shoulder.

This is called an anterior approach to the shoulder. Once through the skin, the nerves and major blood vessels are protected and moved to the side. The muscles are also moved to the side. Making an incision into the joint capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint cavity allows entry into the shoulder joint. Dr Allen can now look at the surfaces of the joint as he prepares the bone to replace the shoulder joint surfaces.

The ball portion (or the humeral head) is removed with a bone saw. The hollow inside of the upper humerus (the arm bone) is prepared using a special rasp to allow for the humeral component to be inserted. This is where the metal stem will be placed that is attached to the ball portion of the artificial shoulder.

If the socket portion of your shoulder will be replaced as well, the socket is prepared by using a burr to remove any remaining cartilage on the surface. A hole is usually drilled with the burr to place the stem on the glenoid component into the bone of the scapula (shoulder blade).

Finally, the artificial shoulder is inserted and the shoulder is tested to make sure the pieces fit properly. The glenoid component is inserted to replace the shoulder socket. The socket may be held in place with bone cement.

When Dr Allen has determined that everything is satisfactory, the shoulder capsule is sutured together, the muscles are returned to their correct positions and the skin is sutured together.

For postoperative rehabilitation regime following shoulder joint replacement click here: Post-op TSR

For a list of possible complications following shoulder joint replacement please go to: Complications TSR

Home | About Your Condition

The information on these pages is presented as a rough guide to help you understand your condition better. The information is in no way intended to be a comprehensive coverage of the subject. As all patients and their conditions are different, the treatment may vary from time to time. All patients are encouraged to take steps to ensure that they are as well educated about their conditions as possible. Other sources of information inc

Philip Allen Orthopaedic
P PO Box 1089, Coolangatta, QLD, 4225, Australia
T +61 7 55980977  F +61 7 55980016 E allen@bonedoctor.com.au
www.bonedoctor.com.au