Shoulder replacement surgery has to with the removal of damaged parts of a shoulder joint and replacing them with artificial implants. This is usually done to relieve patients from severe shoulder pain and to enhance mobility. Some conditions that can necessitate this procedure include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, broken shoulder, and avascular necrosis. However, shoulder replacement in West Orange, NJ, is a major surgical operation that is only performed when all the other more conservative treatments and therapies have failed to provide relief.
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Ideal Candidate for Shoulder Replacement
The procedure can provide good results for people experiencing:
- Severe shoulder pain that interferes with their ability to perform simple day-to-day tasks
- Loss of motion or weakness in the shoulder
- Shoulder pain even when resting
- No improvement after conservative treatments and therapies.
Unfortunately, shoulder replacement surgery is less successful for people suffering from depression, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity.
What the Procedure Entails
Shoulder replacement surgery usually takes place under general anesthesia. This means that you will be made to fall asleep, and therefore, you will not experience any pain during the operation. After the anesthesia has taken effect, your orthopedic surgeon will make an incision through the skin and the muscles of your shoulder to access the shoulder joint. The doctor will then remove the damaged parts of the shoulder joint and replace them with artificial metallic implants. A plastic surface may then be placed on the socket’s surface to allow the bones to slide on each other smoothly.
In some cases, partial joint replacement may be done to replace the ball joint only. Your doctor will then do any necessary repairs and cover any incisions made. Usually, the entire process takes about two hours.
What to Expect After The procedure
After the procedure, you will be moved to the recovery room, and after waking up from the anesthesia, you will be taken to a hospital room. Your medical team will monitor your recovery for some time. Therefore, you may have to remain at the hospital for a few days. Shoulder replacement is a major surgical procedure, and therefore, it is normal to experience pain during recovery. Your doctor will, however, provide you with the necessary pain medication.
The rehabilitation process is going to start right away. Therefore, soon after the procedure, you will start receiving the support that you need to get you up and moving as soon as possible. You may be discharged from the hospital after a couple of days, but your arm is going to be in a sling for about a month. During this time, you will have to avoid lifting objects heavier than one pound. You may also have to stay away from activities that require pulling or pushing.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that if you have a severely damaged shoulder joint for which conservative treatments and therapies do not seem to provide relief, you may have to go in for shoulder replacement surgery. If you are looking for a reliable orthopedic surgeon offering shoulder surgery replacement in West Orange, NJ, James M. Lee, Jr, MD of Orange Orthopaedic Surgeons, is an excellent pick.