Reverse Shoulder Procedure

Finding out that you need surgery is scary. But living life without being able to lift objects, throw a ball to play with your kids or grandkids, or simply living with pain in your shoulder can be disheartening.

At The Orthopedic Clinic, we want you to live your life in full motion. We also want you to have peace of mind about the procedures we provide so that you can make an informed decision confidently. This is why we’d like you to take a moment to read about reverse shoulder surgery.

Basic Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. It’s composed of the humerus (upper arm bone, which has a “ball” at the top end), the scapula (which houses the “socket”), and the clavicle (the collarbone). It is all held together by muscles, tendons, and ligaments which join together to form the (“rotator cuff”). The cartilage between the ball and the socket allows for the bones to glide smoothly instead of causing friction between the bones.

Reverse Shoulder Procedure

In traditional shoulder surgery, the surgeon removes the top portion of the humerus and replaces it with a metal ball, removes the damaged portion of the socket, and replaces it with a durable plastic prosthesis. The muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff hold everything in place.

However, if a patient has significant tears in the rotator cuff, reverse shoulder surgery is a more practical option. During this type of procedure, the components are the same (a metal ball and a plastic prosthesis), but the metal ball is placed in the socket of the scapula, and the plastic cup is placed on the top of the humerus. The surgeon then inserts screws to hold the prosthesis in place.

Performing this surgery on patients with significant rotator cuff damage allows the patient to regain some range of motion in their shoulder joint.

At The Orthopedic Clinic, we perform this revolutionary procedure.

Call 386-255-4596 or schedule an appointment.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement Recovery Time

After the surgery, the patient will likely need painkillers while he or she recovers. The patient will also need to wear a sling around the arm.

Regaining mobility and functionality of the arm will occur gradually within approximately six weeks after the surgery. During this time, the patient will need assistance from a caregiver to do activities of daily living.

The surgeon will also establish certain limitations on the use of the arm to promote adequate healing. In addition, the patient may be required to undergo physical therapy.

Life After Reverse Shoulder Replacement

One of the most important things to keep in mind with a reverse shoulder procedure is that since the patient no longer has their original rotator cuff, the shoulder will not have the same stability and range of motion as before the injury occurred.

However, a reverse shoulder prosthesis will help the patient regain some of the functionality of his or her shoulder joint, reduce or eliminate pain, and allow the patient to do activities of daily living and sleep more comfortably.