Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery (1 of 4)

A Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement is a surgical procedure designed to treat arthritis in patients with rotator cuff tear arthropathy, a medical condition in which the rotator cuff muscles have degenerated, or weakened to a point where they can no longer hold the shoulder joint intact or allow it to function normally. The purpose of the procedure is to reduce shoulder pain and improve function and mobility.

What's Involved?

A Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement is a two hour procedure. The incision is made along the front of the shoulder and is approximately 3 to 4 inches in length. The muscles are separated to expose the shoulder. The diseased head of the humerus is removed. A metal stem is placed in the canal of the humerus and a humeral cup is attached (see figure 2). The humeral cup is made of a plastic material called polyethylene. The socket (glenoid) is then smoothed and a ball, called a glenosphere, is put in place. This is held in place by four screws. The soft tissues are then closed

Risks

The immediate risks of a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement include bleeding into the shoulder joint, dislocation, fracture, nerve damage, blood vessel injury, deep vein thrombosis, anesthesia side effects and infection of the shoulder which can require re-operation. Long term risks include chronic shoulder pain and stiffness, buildup of scar tissue, infection and loosening or failure of an implant

Longevity

The lifespan of a reverse total shoulder replacement is unknown. Every implant will eventually wear out with time. Early wearing of the implant is more problematic in younger patients, who live longer and typically place more demands on the implanted joint. When wearing occurs, a replacement of some or all of the parts of the shoulder replacement is required

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