As a ball and socket joint, the shoulder allows for more range of motion than other joints in the body. The shoulder socket, or glenoid, might be compared to a cup. The upper arm bone fits into “the cup” attached with ligaments, tendons, and cartilage tissue.
Description
After an injury, with arthritis, or other conditions, shoulder cartilage, the surface of the bone, or the ligaments, can become damaged. A reverse shoulder replacement is used to recreate the ball and joint socket. Unlike a traditional shoulder replacement, the position of the “cup” and “ball” is switched. A metal or plastic “ball” is attached to the original shoulder socket, and a “cup” like insert is placed over the arm bone.
Treatable Injuries
The following conditions may require reverse shoulder replacement surgery:
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Decay of bone tissue
- Shoulder pain, or limited movement not successfully treated by surgery
Treatment
Shoulder replacement candidates look to relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling. Usually reserved for older patients, a reverse shoulder replacement is considered a last effort procedure. Dr. Goldberg will refer you if you have tried other replacement surgeries, or methods without success.
Similar to a total shoulder replacement, a reverse shoulder replacement procedure uses a prosthetic implant to improve the function of your shoulder joint. In Naples, this procedure is an alternative shoulder replacement method for patients who have arthritis and an irreparable rotator cuff tear.
