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Shoulder Replacement Surgery

orthopedic

We know how hard it can be living with a severely painful shoulder. Even simple tasks like lifting groceries or getting dressed can be difficult, let alone doing the activities you love.

At AtlantiCare’s Musculoskeletal Institute, we can help you get back on track. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize in shoulder replacement surgery, a common procedure in which injured or diseased joints are replaced with state-of-the-art artificial parts. We use some of the most minimally invasive techniques available, often offering less pain and a faster recovery. We may even have you home the same day as your procedure.

Getting Your Shoulder, and Life, Back in Motion

Depending on your needs, your surgeon at AtlantiCare may first recommend nonsurgical options like medication or physical therapy. But if you’re dealing with bone-on-bone arthritis or a traumatic injury, and other treatments haven’t brought relief, you may be a good candidate for total shoulder replacement.

The procedure involves replacing arthritic joint surfaces with a highly polished metal ball attached to a stem and a plastic socket. Our surgeons specialize in the latest, least invasive techniques, which can help restore virtually the exact anatomy of your shoulder. That means a more natural feeling, mobile and longer-lasting solution.

For completely torn rotator cuffs and severe related arthritis, we also offer reverse shoulder replacement. In this procedure, the socket and metal ball are switched, meaning their natural position is reversed. The metal ball is fixed to the socket and the plastic cup is fixed to the upper arm bone (humerus). This allows you to use the deltoid muscle, instead of the rotator cuff, to move and lift your arm. Reverse shoulder is typically recommended for patients with:

  • A completely torn rotator cuff that cannot be repaired with treatments like arthroscopy
  • Cuff tear arthropathy, a complex type of shoulder arthritis
  • A previous shoulder replacement that was unsuccessful
  • Severe shoulder pain and difficulty lifting your arm away from your side or over your head
  • A complex fracture of the shoulder joint

Support for Every Step

The thought of shoulder replacement may seem overwhelming, but we’re committed to making your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible. A physical therapist or orthopedic nurse will work one-on-one with you to strengthen the shoulder joint and enhance range of motion, so you can get back faster to your normal routine. We'll then likely have you home the same day as your procedure to recover comfortably in your own bed.