If you have had a previous failed shoulder replacement surgery, have rotator cuff repair that can’t be repaired, or have chronic arthritis, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend reverse shoulder replacement surgery.
Reverse shoulder replacement is a complex procedure, which is why getting one entails forethought and due diligence. To make a well-informed decision about the reverse shoulder replacement procedure, it’s important to know everything beforehand.
Let’s talk about some common questions that you can ask your reverse shoulder replacement surgeon about the procedure.
Question #1 How Is the Reverse Shoulder Replacement Procedure Different from the Conventional Procedure?
The major difference between reverse shoulder replacement surgery and conventional shoulder replacement surgery is that in reverse shoulder replacement surgery, the natural position or anatomy of the shoulder is reversed.
For instance, in the standard procedure, the plastic cup is fitted in the shoulder socket, and the metal ball is fixed to the upper arm bone, while in the reverse shoulder replacement procedure, the socket and ball part of the joint switch sides – the ball is fixed to the socket and the plastic cup is attached to the upper end of the upper arm bone (humerus).
Question #2 What the Reverse Shoulder Replacement Procedure Is Like?
During the surgical procedure for reverse shoulder replacement, your surgeon will replace the shoulder joint with an artificial device. For this, your reverse shoulder replacement surgeon will make an incision on either the front or the top of your shoulder. Then, your surgeon will remove the damaged parts and position the new components to restore your shoulder’s function.
The entire reverse shoulder replacement procedure will take approximately under an hour.
Question #3 What Are the Potential Complications of The Reverse Shoulder Replacement Procedure?
Reverse shoulder replacement is a highly complex and technical procedure that your reverse shoulder replacement surgeon will do after carefully evaluating your condition and discussing the risks for potential complications.
Like with any other surgery, reverse total replacement surgery comes with a risk of bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. The potential complications may also include loosening, dislocation, and wear of the artificial component for which the shoulder joint may need to be operated on.
Question #4 What Results Can I Expect from the Reverse Shoulder Replacement Procedure?
The reverse shoulder replacement procedure is excellent at providing shoulder pain relief. Research has also indicated that approximately 85-90% of patients who had reverse shoulder replacement procedures obtained excellent pain relief.
Plus, the prosthesis used during the procedure also restores some shoulder joint range of motion. For example, most patients can reach the top of their heads without tilting.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgeon in Southwest Florida
If you are looking for a highly skilled and trained reverse shoulder replacement surgeon, look no further than Advanced Orthopedic Center. We have a team of highly skilled and board-certified orthopedic surgeons committed to providing you with highly individualized and advanced orthopedic care for your shoulder.
Our highly skilled and experienced reverse shoulder replacement surgeon Dr. Stchur performs over 400 shoulder replacement surgeries annually, most of which are reverse shoulder replacement surgeries, making him the busiest in the world.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call our offices at (941) 629-6262 or complete our online appointment request form.
