Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Living with shoulder pain can be hard. If your shoulder hurts badly enough, it can be difficult to carry a bag of groceries, or even get dressed.

Shoulder pain and reduced range of motion may stem from injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff, or from degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

If you experience reduced movement and increasing pain in your shoulder, shoulder replacement surgery can provide lasting pain relief, while restoring motion and strength.

Discuss your treatment options with an orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial. Request an appointment.

What Is a Total Shoulder Replacement?

Total shoulder replacement involves replacing injured or damaged joint surfaces and degenerated portions of bone with strong, man-made materials. Your surgeon may replace only the ball of your shoulder or the entire joint, based on the condition of your joint.

• In traditional shoulder replacement, surgeons place a metal ball with a stem in your upper arm bone and a plastic socket into the socket portion of your shoulder blade.
• In reverse shoulder replacement, surgeons reverse the operation of the ball-and-socket joint by attaching a metal ball to the shoulder blade and a plastic socket to the upper arm bone.

Learn how shoulder replacement helped these Lowcountry residents enjoy life again.

Shoulder Surgery Recovery

In the hospital, you’ll receive surgery under general or regional anesthesia. Our shoulder orthopedic surgeons use less invasive techniques to reduce pain, speed recovery and allow for a faster return to activities. You should be up and moving within a few hours.

You’ll go home the day of surgery or one to two days later, depending on the specifics of your procedure and your overall health.

After total shoulder surgery, you’ll begin rehabilitation either at home or in an outpatient clinic to get you back to the activities you love.

Have more questions about orthopedic surgery? Get answers to frequently asked questions.