Do I Need a Shoulder Replacement?

Do you suffer from frequent and severe shoulder pain?  Have you been battling arthritis in your shoulder for many years?  Whether you have been dealing with shoulder pain for years or you have suffered from a sudden shoulder injury, you may be considering shoulder replacement surgery.  Shoulder replacement surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon in Deltona to restore patients to a pain-free and mobile lifestyle.  Although it is typically not the first treatment option, there are a few reasons that could make you a candidate for a partial or total shoulder replacement surgery.  

Arthritis of the Shoulder

Arthritis typically only affects patients over the age of 50, but it can cause extreme pain and discomfort that causes lack of mobility.  When this affects your shoulder, you will have decreased range of motion that may even prevent you from performing basic tasks, like putting away laundry or reaching the high shelves in the kitchen.  Over time, the cartilage in your shoulder will wear down, and shoulder replacement surgery may be a preferable option to alleviate your pain.  

Shoulder Fractures

Those that have suffered from injuries resulting in shoulder fractures may also be candidates for shoulder replacement surgery.  In severe injuries, the ball of the shoulder joint could become damaged beyond repair, and this will require surgery.   The extent of the injury will determine the extent of the replacement required to restore motion.  The orthopedic surgeon will take time to determine the extent of the damage to the clavicle before deciding whether you will require a partial or total shoulder replacement.  A surgeon's job is to provide you with the least invasive form of treatment possible.

Rotator Cuff Tears

The four muscles that surround the shoulder joint are called the rotator cuff muscles.  Overuse or repetitive motions can cause tears in the rotator cuff that can lead to pain and a decreased range of motion.  When you suffer from an injury to one or more of these muscles, you may find yourself considering a shoulder replacement surgery.  Before this is determined, your surgeon may recommend therapy and exercises that can help to minimize pain and damage.  However, over time, rotator cuff tears can cause arthritis, which will become more painful as the cartilage erodes.  A shoulder replacement surgery may instead be a viable option to fully replace and restore pain-free motion.

These are a few of the major reasons why people become candidate for the total shoulder replacement surgery.  In order to fully repair and restore their mobility, sometimes this is the only treatment option for these patients.  As an orthopedic surgeon in Deltona, we work closely with patients to monitor their pain, treatments, and recoveries.  Contact us to hear about how we can help you restore your mobility today.