Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Privacy Statement

SHOULDERS

Hemiarthroplasty

The decision to proceed with shoulder replacement surgery should be made jointly by you and your doctor after you feel you understand as much about the procedure as possible.

Once the decision is made to proceed with shoulder replacement surgery, there are several things that may need to be done. Your orthopaedic surgeon may suggest a complete physical examination by your medical or family doctor. This is to ensure that you are in the best possible condition to undergo the operation. You may also need to spend time with the physical therapist that will be managing your rehabilitation after the shoulder replacement surgery.

An assessment will also be made to determine what you may need to have at home once you're released from the hospital. On the day of your surgery, you will probably be admitted to the hospital early in the morning. You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.

Shoulder Fracture Surgery (Hemiarthroplasty)

Shoulder fracture surgery is also called a hemiarthroplasty, "hemi" meaning half and "arthroplasty" meaning reconstruction of the joint. When a shoulder fracture occurs, the socket portion of your shoulder should be in fairly good shape, meaning there is still some articular cartilage left on the surface of the shoulder. If this is the case, only the ball portion of the humerus will be replaced.

In hemiarthroplasty, the ball portion of the upper arm bone (humeral head) is removed and the hollow inside of the bone is prepared for the humeral component to be inserted. The upper arm bone that was removed is then measured so the surgeon can choose the implant which best fits the patient.

Your surgeon will then use a trial prosthesis to determine the right length for the humeral component. Once the trial prosthesis is removed, your surgeon will place the proper sized ball and stem together for the final implantation.

Your surgeon will place bone cement into the shaft of the upper arm bone for a secure fit. Once the implant is in the shaft of the upper arm bone the surgeon will place excess bone tissue around the top of the prosthesis stem to help the tuberosities (bony location where muscles attach to the top of the arm bone) heal. Sutures are then used to attach the greater tuberosity, the lesser tuberosity, and the humeral shaft.

Finally, the surgeon will move the shoulder and humeral areas to make sure that they are moving properly. The wound will then be carefully closed and you will begin the recovery process.



	Healthy Shoulder

	Shoulder Arthritis

	Rotator Cuff Tear

	Shoulder Fracture Overview

	Shoulder Evaluation

	Shoulder Fracture Repair

	Shoulder Resurfacing

Hemiarthroplasty The decision to proceed with shoulder replacement surgery should be made jointly by you and your doctor after you feel you understand as much about the procedure as possible.

Shoulder Fracture Surgery (Hemiarthroplasty)

Hemiarthroplasty

The decision to proceed with shoulder replacement surgery should be made jointly by you and your doctor after you feel you understand as much about the procedure as possible.