The shoulder joint consists of the head of the humerus (ball-shaped) and the glenoid socket in the shoulder (socket). The movement of the ball within the socket gives the shoulder joint a wide range of motion.

The operation of the retroverted shoulder joint – or reversed shoulder joint – aims to install an artificial joint for the shoulder while reversing the anatomical configuration of the joint – which we will explain in detail in the following lines – which contributes to the creation of a stable joint.

Steps for the retracted shoulder joint operation

During the shoulder joint operation, the surgeon does the following:

     Removal of the rounded head of the humerus (upper arm bone).

      Connecting a plastic artificial socket to the remaining bone, and securing it with screws and other surgical tools.

     Removal of part of the shoulder bone socket.

     Replace the shoulder socket with a metal ball.

Cases of resorting to surgery for the retracted shoulder joint

Surgeons resort to performing a retrograde shoulder operation in the following cases:

     Rotator cuff disease: The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, and this disease results from advanced glenohumeral arthritis.

     Pseudoparalysis of the shoulder: This paralysis is a weakness in the shoulder that causes the inability to move it completely, which occurs as a result of a large tear in the rotator cuff.

     Shoulder fractures and bone loss in the shoulder or humerus: These problems cause the surgeon to be unable to perform a traditional shoulder replacement surgery.

What is the difference between a traditional shoulder replacement and a retrograde shoulder joint?

A traditional shoulder replacement, known as an anatomical shoulder replacement, attaches the metal ball to the top of the humerus and connects the new socket to the shoulder blade. The metal ball attached to the humerus moves within the socket attached to the shoulder bone, thus retaining its anatomical configuration.

As for the retrograde shoulder joint, it depends on installing the metal ball in the acetabular socket of the shoulder, and connecting the socket to the head of the humerus after flattening it (i.e. sanding it and making it flat). Thus, the metal ball attached to the shoulder bone moves inside the socket attached to the humerus, which means changing the anatomical configuration of the shoulder.

Finally, the surgeon determines the most appropriate operation for the patient’s condition after conducting the necessary x-rays and examinations.