Shoulder pain can be the result of a variety of different problems, and it can get in the way of doing simple tasks at work and around the home. If you are suffering from pain in the shoulder joint, whether as a result of an injury, arthritis, or any other condition, there are a few possible treatments that can bring back your shoulder mobility while removing the debilitating pain you are currently experiencing. While surgery is not necessary for all patients, some individuals require a prosthesis to replace the components of the shoulder joint. When you have had no success with other treatments, it is time to discuss surgery with a total shoulder replacement doctor.
Do You Need a Total Shoulder Replacement Doctor?
Before you make the important decision to replace your shoulder joint with a prosthesis, it is important to understand why surgery may be required. The joint itself, what is referred to as a “ball and socket” joint, consists of a few components: the “ball” is the top of the upper arm, or humerus; the “socket” is the shoulder blade, or scapula; the four muscles that move your arm within this joint are called the rotator cuff; the O-shaped labrum helps to keep the ball inside the socket; and finally, the cartilage allows the top of the humerus to move around smoothly within the socket. Severe damage to any of these components may require surgery, but one of the most common conditions that necessitates a total shoulder replacement is osteoarthritis. The cartilage wears away, leading to rubbing and wearing away of the bones.
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute’s surgeons are among the most qualified total shoulder replacement doctors in the world for placing prosthetic joint components where the cartilage and bone have worn away. This surgery requires a careful recovery, including physical therapy, but our doctors have a very high success rate, and they perform thousands of surgical and non-surgical procedures on patients with shoulder injuries and arthritis every year.
Contact Rothman Orthopaedic Institute today to find a total shoulder replacement doctor who can answer your questions about surgery, recovery, and keeping your joints in good condition for years to come.