The shoulder is a ball and socket joint and has the greatest range of motion out of any other joint in the body. Shoulder arthritis developes when the cartilage in the joint begins to wear away allowing the protective lining to disappear. On-going and sometimes constant pain, inflammation and swelling are the result of shoulder arthritis. Patients suffering from advanced shoulder arthritis and who have tried more conservative shoulder treatments such as medication, physical therapy and in some cases, arthroscopic surgery—without relief—may be candidates for shoulder replacement surgery.
Two shoulder joint replacement surgeries available are the anatomic total shoulder replacement surgery and the reverse total shoulder.
Also, an alternative to joint replacement surgery is joint preservation and cartilage restoration-also known as the CAM procedure. In cartilage restoration, the shoulder joint tissue is, in essence, regrown or transplanted from donated tissue.
Depending on your specific surgery, you may begin therapy in the hospital post-surgery or immediately after leaving the hospital. You will be instructed if you can do pendulum exercises on your own. You can use your arm from the elbow down but no active motion of the shoulder until ordered by Dr. Millett. A complete physical therapy protocol will be established with you on your first visit after surgery.
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