What is Shoulder Joint Replacement?
The shoulder joint is made up of three element which work
together to allow the shoulder to move. The largest of these
joints is a 'ball and socket'. The ball is formed by the
upper arm bone fitting into the socket which is part of the
shoulder blade.
Shoulder joint replacement involves replacing the ball with an
artificial metal one and fitting a plastic surface on the
socket.
After the operation you will regain normal movement in your
shoulder and a new shoulder joint will last for at least ten years,
after which it may need to be replaced again.
What does this involve?
Shoulder Joint Replacement surgery is carried out in hospital
under general anaesthetic with local anaesthetic also used to numb
the nerves in the whole of the arm. The procedure usually
takes around two and a half hours.
You will not be able to eat for eight hours prior to surgery
although you will be able to drink small amounts of water up to
four hours before. You would normally be admitted the evening
before the operation and normal checks will be carried
out.
An incision is made over the front of your shoulder and the
outer layer of muscles at the front of the shoulder are separated,
to expose the deep layer of muscles, the rotator cuff, that
directly surround the joint. These muscles and the very tight
ligaments and capsule that surround the joint are released to
expose the joint.
The surfaces of the bone are then carefully prepared to accept
the components of the new shoulder. Sometimes the ball of the
socket is resurfaced with a metal hemisphere and sometimes a more
conventional shoulder replacement with a stem that passes down the
inside of the arm is required. The surface of the socket will
then be inspected, cleaned and, if necessary, resurfaced with
plastic.
At this stage, a careful assessment of your shoulder is made
using a variety of different sized components. Once the
correct ones have been selected they are fixed onto the
bones. Sometimes cement is used but often the replacement is
designed to grow into your own bones. The muscles and
ligaments are then carefully stitched back into place.
The operation is closed with stitching the incision which needs
to be removed after two weeks. .
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When will I recover?
You are likely to stay in hospital for two to five days after
the operation and our arm will be in a specially designed shoulder
sling with the wound covered by waterproof dressing.
Exercises and physiotherapy will start the day after the operation
and you will be taught all you need to know for the first couple of
weeks of recovery before you leave the hospital.
Your sling is likely to be used for four weeks though this may
vary by patient. You will be using your hand and arm but will
have difficulty with many day to day activities. Most people
can start driving again at around six to eight weeks and should
have regained good use of the shoulder by then
Exercises will continue for many months to gain the maximum
benefit in term of movement and recovery of strength and
power.
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