Shoulder arthroplasty or shoulder replacement is a procedure where the damaged bones of the shoulder are removed and replaced by artificial implants by a shoulder orthopaedic surgeon. Based on the specific type of damage to the joint and the bones surrounding it, different types of shoulder arthroplasty are prescribed by shoulder specialists in Mumbai.
Osteoarthritis, Rotator cuff injuries, Fractures, Osteonecrosis, Rheumatoid arthritis are some of the common conditions that may lead to shoulder damage. Shoulder replacement surgery is prescribed when other treatment procedures fail to restore the shoulder function and provide adequate relief.
Total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty are major types of shoulder arthroplasty procedures available today for the restoration of shoulder function.
In this blog today we provide information about these two procedures, and then guide you towards the best shoulder surgeon in Mumbai for shoulder arthroplasty procedures. Read on:
Shoulder Joint – Anatomy:
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The ball here is the part of the upper arm bone which is placed into the socket that is located at the end of the shoulder blade to form the joint. The ball and socket joints are lined by cartilage and glide over each other while put firmly in place by rotator cuff tendons and ligaments. When the shoulder joint is damaged and is beyond scope of any repair with regular shoulder surgeries, total shoulder arthroplasty or shoulder replacement is performed.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty:
During shoulder arthroplasty, the ball is replaced with a metal stem with a ball-head which is placed in the socket at one end and a humerus bone at the other. The socket here is an artificial implant usually made of plastic and held in place with grooves. The usage of the socket is optional and it depends on the severity of the shoulder injury.
In a few cases, only balls are replaced with the original socket where the socket is resurfaced to fit the new ball, this procedure is called a partial shoulder replacement. Reverse shoulder replacement is another type of shoulder replacement performed under a specific set of conditions, read on to know them.
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty:
In a total shoulder replacement, the ball portion of the shoulder joint is replaced by the metal ball and the socket is usually replaced by a plastic socket. However in reverse shoulder arthroplasty, as the name suggests the joint is reversed. The replacement metal ball is placed at the socket and the socket is placed in the place of the original ball to reconstruct the shoulder joint that performs similar joint functions.
Dislocation Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
The success of total shoulder arthroplasty depends on sin the health of the tendons and ligaments that provide strength to the shoulder. A standard total shoulder replacement is only bound to work right when these tendons and ligaments are reasonably intact. “Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is recommended to restore the shoulder mobility when these tendons are torn”, says Dr Chirag Patel, best shoulder specialist in Mumbai.
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is chosen over total shoulder arthroplasty when the shoulder injury impacts the tendons and ligaments’ health. It is also considered when the patient has undergone a prior shoulder replacement surgery that has not relieved pain and mobility. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is also considered in case of a specific type of fracture or tumor near the humerus bone. However, in trauma cases that involve violent dislocation of the shoulder socket and in shoulder infection cases, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is not recommended.
If you are looking for more information on shoulder arthroplasty or reverse shoulder arthroplasty, then Dr Chirag Patel is the best shoulder surgeon in Mumbai who can help you.