Shoulder arthritis occurs as a result of worn-out cartilage weighing down on the shoulder joint's margins and ball and socket components. Symptoms of shoulder arthritis include shoulder pain, stiffness and limited movement of the shoulder joint. While there are many conservative treatment options for shoulder arthritis, such as stretching, applying heat and cold packs and lifestyle changes, replacement surgery is an ideal treatment for pain due to arthritis. This surgical option provides permanent pain relief and encourages people to resume their daily exercises while running errands and enjoying life.
When shoulder replacement surgery is performed to treat arthritis, damaged tissue, bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with artificial materials. In some cases, the head of the humerus is replaced, while it is sometimes necessary to remove and replace both the ball and the socket of the shoulder. When one suffers from osteoarthritis in the shoulder, the cartilage that usually cushions the bones wears away. This causes the bones to hit against each other, causing pain and discomfort as well as stiffness.
Another arthritic condition that can be treated with shoulder replacement surgery is rheumatoid arthritis, which causes the synovial membrane surrounding the joint to become inflamed, damaging the cartilage, wearing it away and causing stiffness and pain. In addition, shoulders where the small muscles around the shoulder, the so-called rotator cuff muscles, are torn or deficient might require a reverse shoulder replacement where the ball and socket’s positions are reversed.
Arthritis is a degenerative joint illness that worsens over time, leading to pain and immobility of the shoulder. Treatment such as shoulder replacement surgery prevents pain due to debilitating shoulder arthritis and improves mobility and use of the shoulder. However, as part of the healing process for four to six weeks after the procedure, a sling is required to hold the shoulder in place.
We need to perform total shoulder replacement surgery when you experience debilitating shoulder pain. This form of pain cannot be treated conservatively, particularly if the discomfort occurs due to osteoarthritis in the shoulder.
Usually, older patients between 60 and 80 years old receive shoulder replacement surgery as a result of a lack of mobility and joint degeneration, mainly due to osteoarthritis.
Shoulder pain could be a sign of a serious arthritic condition such as osteoarthritis. When shoulder pain does not resolve, it is advantageous to seek help early. Timing of a condition such as a rotator cuff tear is extremely important.
Johannesburg Surgical Hospital, 219 Beyers Naude Drive,
Northcliff
Randburg
2195
