Shoulder replacement, or shoulder arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that’s used to remove a damaged shoulder joint and replace it with an artificial joint. Your new artificial joint will help you move and use your shoulder without pain. When your shoulder pain becomes chronic, ask our orthopedic specialists at Riverview Health about shoulder replacement surgery.
Orthopedic surgeons at Riverview Health use shoulder replacement to address severe shoulder joint damage that’s the result of injury, arthritis or an infection.
You may be an ideal candidate for shoulder replacement surgery if:
Shoulder replacement surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep for the procedure. Our orthopedic surgeons will begin by making an incision in your shoulder to remove any damaged cartilage and bone before replacing it with plastic or metal components.
In most cases, the surgery is a total shoulder replacement, although a partial shoulder replacement may be an option when the damage only involves the humerus head. Following the procedure, you’ll spend a couple days at Riverview Health, and will likely be enrolled in a physical therapy program to help with your recovery, which can take up to a year.
Most people find they’re able to return to activities they could no longer do before surgery. While many shoulder replacements still function well 15 years after surgery, you can help keep your artificial joint in good shape by avoiding contact sports and heavy lifting, exercising regularly and using caution when pushing yourself up in bed or from a chair.
When you need a shoulder replacement, you can depend on Riverview Health. Request an appointment with our orthopedic team today by calling 317.565.0505 or by completing an appointment request form.
Riverview Health provides advanced shoulder replacement surgery for people living in Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Sheridan and Westfield, IN.