Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Your surgeon replaces the damaged ball with an artificial stem attached to a metal head (ball), and replaces the damaged shoulder socket with a plastic prosthetic.

This procedure replaces only the ball part of the joint. It can be a good option if the socket is still healthy.

This involves replacing just the surface of the humeral head, preserving the bone.

The metal ball and plastic socket are switched—with the ball attached to the shoulder bone and the socket to the humerus—allowing shoulder muscles, instead of your rotator cuff, to move your arm.

Corrects issues from failed shoulder replacements, loose implants or infections. Baylor Scott & White has surgeons who specialize in these complex cases.

Make sure to follow your surgeon's instructions about bathing, eating and taking medications before your surgery. You may be asked to stop eating for up to 12 hours before your surgery to help ensure everything goes smoothly.

When you come to the hospital for your surgery, it’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothes and a button-front shirt. After the surgery, you will need to wear a sling to support your arm, and your arm will be limited in movement during your recovery.

Before the surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist and surgeon to discuss how the surgery will be done and what kind of anesthesia you’ll receive. There are different types of anesthesia, and the team will decide what’s best for you. With general anesthesia, you’ll be asleep throughout the surgery and won’t feel anything. If you have regional anesthesia, you may stay awake but won’t feel any pain in the area around your shoulder because it will be numb. Sometimes, a combination of both general and regional anesthesia may be used.

The steps of the surgery will depend on which procedure is being done. In general, your surgeon will have you in a semi-reclined position with your arm in a special device. Your surgeon will make an incision in your shoulder to access the joint, remove damaged bone and cartilage, and place the new, man-made implant before closing the incision with stitches or sutures.

The whole process usually takes about one to two hours.

Your surgeon may be able to perform your surgery using very small incisions, which may allow you to heal faster.

After your surgery, you'll be taken to the recovery area, where nurses will monitor you as you wake up from anesthesia. You'll have a dressing on your shoulder, and an X-ray will be taken to check your shoulder. You’ll stay in recovery for at least an hour, depending on how you’re feeling.

Once you're in your hospital room, the nurse will check your vital signs, dressing and arm movement. Your arm will be in a sling for the first 24 hours. Managing pain is important, so you may need some pain medication if the nerve block doesn’t fully control your discomfort.

You'll be encouraged to move around and wear loose clothing for comfort. You’ll be able to shower after 48 hours. A physical therapist will show you simple exercises to help your recovery, and following these exercises is key to a good outcome. In some cases, you may need physical therapy after you go home, which your surgeon will discuss with you.

Yes, it’s possible. Some shoulder replacement surgeries are outpatient, which means you can go home the same day. However, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Shoulder replacement surgery usually takes one to three hours. The exact time depends on factors like your health and the complexity of the procedure. The surgery involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial one and sometimes repairing any torn muscles or tendons.

Yes, there are options besides shoulder replacement surgery, such as rest, physical therapy, injections (like steroids or plasma-rich therapy), stem cell therapy, shoulder resurfacing and massage therapy. Your healthcare provider can help you decide which treatment is best based on your specific needs and condition.

Recovery from shoulder replacement surgery usually takes about six months to regain most function, with full recovery taking up to a year. You'll notice improvements in the first few months, and physical therapy will help you get the best results. Your recovery time may vary depending on your health and age.

After shoulder replacement surgery, you'll feel some pain, but it's usually less than the pain you had before. As you recover, the pain gets better, and most people can manage it with over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen once the initial healing period is over.

A shoulder replacement usually lasts 10 to 15 years, and reverse replacements may last 15 to 20 years. Factors like your age, activity level and how well you follow post-surgery care can affect how long the implant lasts. Regular check-ups help ensure everything is working well over time.