We always take our healthy bodies for granted and never notice individual body parts unless there is pain. Our shoulder joints are one such body part that is never paid much attention to yet plays such a big role in our day-to-day activities. The shoulder joints are designed in such a way as to facilitate a wide variety of movements like adduction, flexion, extension, and external rotation. Shoulder joints are ball and socket joints with the head of the humerus bone i.e. the long bone of the upper limb acting as a ball that fits into the socket of the scapula, a triangular bone in the upper back.
The shoulder joints can get damaged due to a variety of reasons like injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, osteonecrosis, etc., For many, shoulder pain starts as a small inconvenience that comes and goes. Later it grows into a constant, debilitating pain that affects the whole arm. Even the slightest movement can cause excruciating pain. Daily activities like brushing your teeth, getting dressed, or even using a computer or shaking hands with someone become an ordeal. When physical therapy and pain medication fail to resolve the pain, your doctor will suggest a shoulder joint replacement surgery.
The four major types of shoulder replacement are total shoulder replacement, stemmed hemiarthroplasty, resurfacing hemiarthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder replacement. Each type of surgery has a different position in which the implants are placed and is undertaken based on the muscle groups that are used after the surgery. The right option for you will be chosen by your surgeon depending on the type of shoulder joint damage you have.
In total shoulder replacement, the arthritic joint is replaced with a metal ball attached to the stem and a plastic socket. In stemmed hemiarthroplasty, the head of the humerus is replaced with a metal ball and stem. Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty replaces the joint surface of the humerus head with a cap-like prosthesis. In reverse total shoulder replacement, the socket and metal ball are switched, i.e., the metal ball is attached to the shoulder bone while the plastic socket is attached to the humerus.
Post the procedure, recovery takes approximately three months. Proper training will be given to you and your caretaker to help you take care of yourself. Physical therapy and regular exercises play a very important part in the journey to your recovery as it helps you to regain movement in your shoulders. Though initially, it might feel like an uphill task with the pain, exercises, and limited movement, soon you will find your mobility increasing.
Shoulder joint replacement surgeries help you regain almost 90% of your shoulder movements. This enables you to take charge of your life with confidence and comfort. You can enjoy all the little things in life that require a complete range of motion in your shoulders without having to suffer immense pain and discomfort.
CONTACT US
Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center
3/4, 8th Main (Water Tank Road), CHBS Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560 040.
Emergency: 9731274396
Appointment Mob:7760659606
Email:drbanarji@orthobangalore.com
