Considering Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

The shoulder is one of the more flexible joints in the body and therefore prone to injury. Constant pain in the shoulder may be caused by injured or over-used tendons, muscles and ligaments. More severe injuries, often occurring as we get older may result in fractures or rotator cuff tears.

Standard shoulder replacement surgery involves replacing the ball and socket of the shoulder with artificial pieces. These replacement surgeries can return mobility and restore quality of life in patients suffering from injury. Below we will outline a few items to consider and benefits to shoulder replacement surgery.

You can return to the sports you love

This is not a typo – countless patients have picked up their old love of tennis, golf, and swimming without the looming fear of pain or lack of mobility looming overhead. A new joint means a new you, one who is free to pick up the club, swing a racket or simply relax in the pool.

Returned mobility

Getting dressed in the morning, completing chores around the house, and even picking up little ones when they something as simple as a hug can all be restored. The primary goal of shoulder replacement surgery is pain relief, with a secondary benefit of restoring motion, strength, function, and assisting with returning patients to an activity level as near to normal as possible.

You get a brand new joint

It’s like your slate has been wiped clean – of arthritis that is! You have a new, healthy joint, that with proper recovery leave you with unlimited possibilities!

You can cut back or even stop taking NSAIDS

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS were designed to help reduce pain and inflammation. While these little miracles can help us get through our daily lives, everything comes with a price. Doctors warn about the increased risks of heart attack stroke and GI side effects like ulcerations and bleeding. Replacing a damaged shoulder may free you entirely from the ‘once a day little blue pill’ and its side effects.

No more conservative therapy

PT appointments interrupting your life? Visits to the doctor for injections leave you feeling like a pincushion? Tired of asking for help to slather on cream to your aching shoulder? All of this could be a things of the past after a complete recovery from shoulder replacement.

A good night’s rest

Words you thought would never apply to you again can be a reality when you relieve yourself from pain. Quality sleep seems like a fantasy to those living with shoulder pain. We are programmed to lay down for bed, making it practically impossible to escape the discomfort of a bad shoulder.

Replacements can last 15 years – or more!

Advances in medicine and the materials utilized in joint replacement have led to magnificent breakthrough in implant construction. We often utilize implants composed of titanium, steel and high density plastics rated for approximately 15 years of use. However, since the materials have improved over the years, it is not uncommon to see a joint last a patient longer.