Shoulder pain and limited movement due to arthritis, fractures, or severe injuries can significantly affect your daily life. When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, shoulder replacement surgery becomes a reliable option to restore function and reduce pain. Thanks to advancements in orthopedic care, different types of shoulder replacement surgeries are available to suit individual patient needs.

What is Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, involves replacing damaged parts of the shoulder joint with artificial implants. The procedure helps relieve pain and improves shoulder strength, motion, and function.

Common Types of Shoulder Replacement Surgery

1. Total Shoulder Replacement (Anatomic Shoulder Replacement)

This is the most common type of shoulder replacement. It involves replacing both the ball (head of the humerus) and the socket (glenoid) with prosthetic components.

Ideal for:
✔ Patients with severe osteoarthritis
✔ Intact rotator cuff tendons
✔ Degenerative joint diseases

Benefits:
✅ Effective pain relief
✅ Improved joint function
✅ Long-lasting results

2. Reverse Shoulder Replacement

In this procedure, the normal ball-and-socket structure is reversed. The ball component is attached to the shoulder blade, and the socket is placed at the top of the arm bone.

Ideal for:
✔ Patients with massive rotator cuff tears
✔ Complex fractures
✔ Failed previous shoulder surgery
✔ Severe arthritis with rotator cuff damage

Benefits:
✅ Improved shoulder stability
✅ Better arm lifting ability
✅ Effective even with damaged rotator cuff

3. Partial Shoulder Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)

Only the ball of the shoulder joint is replaced, leaving the natural socket intact.

Ideal for:
✔ Severe fractures of the upper arm bone
✔ Avascular necrosis
✔ Patients with minimal socket damage

Benefits:
✅ Shorter surgery time
✅ Faster recovery
✅ Preserves part of the natural joint

4. Shoulder Resurfacing (Stemless Shoulder Replacement)

This bone-preserving option replaces only the surface of the ball of the shoulder joint, without inserting a long stem down the bone.

Ideal for:
✔ Younger, active patients
✔ Early-stage arthritis
✔ Patients with good bone quality

Benefits:
✅ Preserves more bone
✅ Faster recovery
✅ Less risk of complications

When to Consider Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

If you experience:
✔ Constant shoulder pain that affects sleep
✔ Difficulty performing daily activities
✔ Stiffness and limited range of motion
✔ Failed results with medications or physical therapy

It may be time to consult an orthopedic expert like Dr. Pramod Kumar to evaluate your options.

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of shoulder replacement depends on the severity of your condition, age, lifestyle, and overall health. With the right surgical approach and expert care, shoulder replacement can significantly improve your quality of life.

If you’re suffering from shoulder pain or limited movement, book a consultation with Dr. Pramod Kumar today and explore the best treatment options.