Shoulder or glenohumeral arthritis most commonly can occur as you age. Factors such as trauma, injury and family history can contribute to it. Sometimes arthritis occurs even in younger people. When patients have failed conservative treatment such as rest, avoiding aggravating activities, medications, therapy, cortisone injections and so on a shoulder replacement may be the next and best option.
There are different type of shoulder replacements available depending on your age and other factors. The following will discuss some options.
Partial shoulder replacement is performed just on the ball or humeral side of the joint. Most commomly for very young patients without glenoid or socket side arthritis. An intact rotator cuff is needed.
Total shoulder replacement is replacing the ball and the socket. An intact rotator cuff is needed. This gives good pain relief and function but performed in younger and highly active patients under 50 years old it can loosen early and need revised within a shorter period of time. The typical recommendation is not to lift more than 20-25lbs consistently in order to make it last. For those younger and highly active patients there are other alternatives that don't have a weight restriction after. These are a total shoulder resurfacing and a biologic arthroscopic total shoulder replacement. If the rotator cuff is not intact a reverse total shoulder replacement is indicated which has weight restrictions as well.
If you think or have been told you need a shoulder replacement just make sure you do your homework and select a surgeon that performs these different options so you can discuss and select the right one for you. www.columbusshoulderdoc.com
