Arthritis Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Arthroplasty
The most frequent surgery for the shoulders articulation in case of arthritis is arthroplasty, by which the articulation is completely replaced. This kind of intervention allows more freedom of movement in your shoulder, it makes it stronger and less painful.
The decision to have such a surgical intervention should be made with responsibility and awareness of its consequences. The recovery process may take a few months for you to get used to the new articulation of your shoulder. It is a process that requires discipline because the very next day after surgery you must begin recovery exercises. Full recovery may take even a year. Don't neglect your exercises or the articulation may become rigid and give you a feeling of frustration.
The intervention's first step is the removal of the affected parts of the bones that make up the articulations of your shoulder and their replacement with prothesis made from plastic and metal. Prothesis takes the place of the top of your upper arm bone and the glenoid cavity of the shoulder blade. The doctor will possibly clear the area around the articulation of the shoulder by the removal of the osteophytes and also of the synovium.
Arthroplasty was a very frequent procedure during the last 30 years and now, modern techniques made it safer and predictable. The only immediate side effects are common to all surgeries: bleeding and possible infection.
Most of the interventions make people very happy about the results. But there are also times in which the shoulder is weak and unstable. In 5% of the cases, the prothesis may be lost and another operation is required.
Surgical interventions for shoulder arthritis
The alternatives to arthroplasty are:
- Hemiarthroplasty, a type of arthroplasty which implies only the replacement of the top of the upper arm bone. This procedure is especially recommended for young people that mostly need to use their shoulders. It is also appropriate for rotator cuff tear cases that sometimes accompany arthritis.
- Arthrodesis is an articulation fusioning procedure. It uses pins to keep the articulations in one place. This doesn't allow a free motion. The case in which is strongly recommended is the one that involves arthritis – caused inability to hold a prothesis.
- Synovectomy removes the synovium when it is inflamed. It will grow back and you may suffer from other inflammations. Usually medicines can keep the situation under control. In cases the bones are not damaged, this procedure is enough to give back the motion and diminish pain. It may be performed with either open or arthroscopic surgical intervention.
- Osteocapsular arthroplasty implies the removal of the bone spurs and the reshaping and smoothing of the articulation's surface, which will prevent bones from friction and pain. It may be performed by means of an arthroscope.