Painful shoulder arthritis is generally characterized with disappearance of normally smooth cartilage surfaces of the shoulder, which is meant to enable the ball and socket to move smoothly up against one another. This disappearance of cartilage covering results in a “bone on bone” joint, which are quite painful. New surfaces provide relief from the excruciating joint pain and help restore normal movement.

Why Undergo Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

Shoulder replacement surgery, which is also known as Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) is a highly effective surgical procedure for treating severe pain and stiffness which usually occurs during the end stage of various forms of arthritis or degenerative joint disease, including the shoulder joint in particular. When non-surgical treatments fail to properly treat shoulder arthritis, an orthopedist will recommend shoulder replacement surgery. While performing surgery, damaged surfaces of the shoulder joint are removed and replaced with prosthetic parts which are either made of durable plastic or metal.

Types of Shoulder Replacement Surgery

• Total Shoulder Replacement (Traditional Shoulder Arthroplasty) :-Original ball-and-socket surfaces of the shoulder are completely replaced with similarly shaped prosthetics.
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement (Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty) :-This surgery involves switching or reversal of shoulder joint's ball and socket position. The ball at the top of the humerus (upper arm bone) is replaced with a socket-shaped prosthetic. A prosthetic ball is placed inside the shoulder’s natural socket
• Partial Shoulder Replacement (Stemmed Hemiarthroplasty) :-The arm's humeral head (arm bone’s large rounded head) is removed and replaced with a prosthetic ball and the natural socket is also kept.
• Hemiarthroplasty with Non-Prosthetic Glenoid Arthroplasty :-The shoulder’s natural socket is retained as it is. Special tools are used to smoothen and reshape this socket to enable better shoulder joint movement. This process is also popularly known as "ream and run."
• Shoulder Resurfacing (Resurfacing Hemiarthroplasty) :-The damaged humeral head is replaced with a smooth rounded prosthetic cap to restore movement in shoulder joint. Shoulder resurfacing does not include complete removal of the natural humeral head.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery Recovery

Shoulder replacement surgery aims towards relieving pain, restoring motion, strength and function. All of these facilitate proper movement and functioning of the effected shoulder. Three months after surgery, patients are comfortable. They are able to move around a little. After six months pass by, most patients are relieved from severe joint pain. There is good improvement in terms of mobility. One year after surgery, there will be tremendous improvement in most patients. They can continue playing sports they love. Tennis, golf, badminton, and swimming to name a few. They can also follow a regular fitness regimen and practice yoga.

Rehabilitation Following Shoulder Replacement Surgery

• Physical Therapy :-During first few weeks of recovery, a physical therapist will teach as well as guide you to perform specific exercises to strengthen arms and shoulders. Arm and shoulder movements are necessary for recovery. Doctors will provide a list of exercises that will keep muscles strong without damaging the replaced shoulder. These exercises are necessary to prevent elbow and shoulder from getting stiff.
• Medication :-Medication will be given for relieving pain. Anti-inflammatory medicine and aspirin is prescribed as they help in prevention of blood clots.
• Post-Surgery Exercises for Shoulder Replacement :-After shoulder replacement surgery, it is important to perform certain exercises to help strengthen shoulders and arms and increase chances of recovery. Doctors will provide instructions as to how the following exercises need to be performed.
Names of post-surgery exercises for shoulder replacement are as follows.
• Elbow Range of Motion
• Grip Strengthening
• Scapula Retraction
• Supported Arm Pendulum
• External Rotation

Shoulder Replacement Surgery in India

Hospitals in India are equipped with modern facilities which primarily focus on giving patients excellent medical treatments and relieve them from physical pain and suffering. Internationally accredited hospitals of India also offer latest techniques and procedures. Shoulder replacement surgery in India is definitely viable as cost of shoulder replacement surgery is quite reasonable and affordable in India.