Shoulder pain that keeps you awake at night or stops you from reaching into a cabinet isn’t something you have to live with. Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that’s supposed to glide smoothly, but when advanced arthritis or an injury wears away its protective cushion of cartilage, the bones begin to grind directly against each other. This constant friction causes the chronic stiffness and deep pain that can make everyday life miserable.
When treatments like injections or physical therapy stop working, a total shoulder replacement can provide lasting relief. If you are ready to reclaim your mobility, the shoulder team at Summit Orthopedics offers expert, advanced care right here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
What Is Total Shoulder Replacement?
Total shoulder replacement, also called total shoulder arthroplasty, focuses on replacing those worn-out, grinding surfaces with smooth artificial parts. Instead of letting bone rub against bone, a surgeon removes the damaged biological surfaces and installs a new, two-part system made of medical-grade metal and plastic:
- The new ball: A smooth metal ball that replaces the damaged head of your upper arm bone (humerus) is attached to a stem that fits securely inside the bone.
- The new socket: A smooth, ultra-durable plastic component replaces the damaged glenoid socket.
There are typically two ways doctors can perform a total shoulder replacement:
- An anatomic total shoulder replacement replaces both the ball and socket with implants designed to mimic the natural shape of the joint.
- A reverse total shoulder replacement switches the position of the ball and socket. The surgeon attaches the ball to the shoulder blade and the socket to the upper arm bone.
Why You Might Need a Total Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder pain is often the result of an underlying condition that has quietly been wearing down the joint over time. These conditions may initially respond to injections and pain medication, but when those no longer provide relief, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend a total shoulder replacement.
The procedure is often used to treat:
- Avascular necrosis occurs when the blood supply to the bone is limited, leading to bone cell death and joint breakdown.
- Osteoarthritis is an age-related, degenerative form of arthritis that causes the cartilage that cushions the bones to wear away, eventually leading to bone-on-bone rubbing, pain and stiffness.
- Post-traumatic arthritis can follow a serious shoulder injury, like a fracture or dislocation, that damages the cartilage over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the immune system attacks the joint lining, leading to chronic inflammation that damages cartilage and bone over time.
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy develops when a large, long-standing rotator cuff tear leads to joint damage and arthritis.
- Severe fractures of the upper arm bone may require replacement when the bone shatters too much beyond repair.
Am I a Candidate for Shoulder Replacement?
If shoulder pain constantly interrupts your sleep, makes everyday tasks difficult, or leaves your arm feeling too stiff and weak to lift, it might be time to consider surgery. Total shoulder replacement is typically recommended when joint damage stands between you and your normal routine—especially if you’ve already tried medications, injections and physical therapy without finding lasting relief.
Planning Your Total Shoulder Replacement
We want you to feel confident about your next steps, which is why we’ve designed our evaluation process to be as thorough and clear as possible. When you meet with your Summit Orthopedics specialist, we’ll start by listening to your story—chatting about your history with shoulder pain, what makes it worse, and what treatments haven’t given you relief. From there, we’ll check your mobility by mapping your current range of motion and arm strength, and then we’ll review standard X-rays or advanced imaging like a CT scan or MRI to get a crystal-clear look at exactly what’s going on inside your joint.
Preparing for Shoulder Replacement Surgery
In the weeks before your procedure, your care team will walk you through everything you need to do to get ready, including:
- A preoperative physical with your primary care provider
- A review of your current medications, since some, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, may need to be paused before surgery
- Home preparation to make your recovery easier, such as moving frequently used items to lower shelves and arranging for help with daily tasks in the first weeks after surgery
What to Expect During Shoulder Replacement Surgery
The actual surgery usually takes about one to two hours. To keep you comfortable, you’ll likely receive general anesthesia along with a nerve block to help numb the pain afterward. During the procedure, the surgeon clears out the damaged bone and cartilage and secures your new, smooth pieces into place. Many people can go home to rest the same day as surgery.
While the surgery is generally very safe, like any procedure, it does carry a few risks, such as infection, blood clots, joint dislocation or implant wear over time. Your Summit Orthopedics surgeon will walk you through all of this before your procedure, so you know what to look out for as you heal.
Recovery After Total Shoulder Replacement
Every recovery looks a little different, but you can expect recovery to take between four and six months, and you’ll keep gaining strength through your first year. As for the new shoulder itself? It is built to last. An artificial shoulder joint can last at least 10 years.
While the healing process is unique to you, here is what you can generally expect:
- The sling: You’ll wear a sling for two to six weeks to protect your new joint while it heals.
- Daily activities: You can usually handle simple things like eating and dressing within two weeks, but you’ll need to hold off on driving for between two and six weeks.
- Physical therapy: You’ll start with gentle movements right away, then work with a therapist and do home exercises a few times a day to regain your strength and motion.
- Pain management: Expect some soreness at night and during activity for a few weeks. Your care team will help you manage this safely and keep you comfortable.
Total Shoulder Replacements at Summit Orthopedics
When you choose Summit Orthopedics, you’re partnering with an experienced team that listens to your goals and builds a treatment plan around your life.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care,
Find your Summit Orthopedics shoulder expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
