The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the body and moves in many directions. It consists of the meeting of three bones: the arm bone, the shoulder bone, and the collarbone. The shoulder joint is classified as a “ball and socket type,” so that the head of the shoulder bone forms the ball and the rest of the bones form the socket that It facilitates joint movement in many directions.
Feeling severe pain and impeding joint movement is the reason behind undergoing a total shoulder joint replacement. The patient describes the pain as severe and unbearable, and this is due to the erosion of the cartilage that protects parts of the joint from friction and corrosion.
Total shoulder joint replacement surgery
Total shoulder joint replacement is one of the surgical procedures that the doctor resorts to in the event of severe damage to the joint, which hinders its movement. The surgeon replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one in order for the joint to regain its function.
Reasons for performing a total shoulder joint replacement
The goal of performing a total shoulder joint replacement is to restore normal joint movement and eliminate the severe pain that the patient feels as a result of joint damage resulting from the following reasons:
Osteoarthritis: Also called degenerative arthritis, it is the most common type of arthritis, in which the joint cartilage becomes damaged, hardens, and loses its elasticity, causing the joint to erode over time.
Autoimmune arthritis: The immune system attacks the joints in some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Exposure to a direct injury to the joint.
Vascular osteonecrosis: There are some cases that suffer from a lack of blood supply to the joints, which leads to joint erosion and bone rot, which requires a total shoulder joint replacement.
Necessary examinations before undergoing a total shoulder joint replacement
The surgeon requests some tests and examinations before the operation to check on the patient’s health and ensure that there are no health problems that hinder the procedure, including:
X-ray imaging of the chest area.
MRI of the shoulder.
Performing an electrocardiogram.
Complete blood count.
Blood fluidity tests.
urine anlysis.
Preparing the patient before total shoulder joint replacement
The surgeon advises the patient to abstain from some medications, such as: fluid medications, arthritis medications, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to avoid bleeding during the operation. In addition, it is recommended to stop smoking for approximately two weeks before the operation.
The patient fasts 8 hours immediately before the operation, abstaining from food and drink, and comes to the hospital a few hours before the operation so that the surgeon’s assistant staff can prepare him for the operation.
Steps for performing a total shoulder joint replacement
The steps for performing a total shoulder joint replacement include the following:
General anesthesia of the patient.
Making a surgical incision in the shoulder area.
Replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint.
Close the surgical incision with sutures and put a bandage on it.
Recovery period after total shoulder joint replacement
Recovery after a total shoulder joint replacement surgery takes approximately two to six weeks, as the shoulder joint area remains covered with a splint that limits its movement for 4 weeks, and the patient must follow the following instructions until complete recovery:
Avoid carrying heavy objects.
Avoid pushing or pulling objects.
Maintaining limited arm movement, which means not bending it back or straightening it.
Begin physical therapy to rehabilitate the joint.
Total shoulder joint replacement is a successful surgery that helps you get rid of constant pain and restores the joint’s ability to move normally, so do not hesitate to make the decision.