Leading Expertise in Shoulder Replacement Surgery

When the bones of your shoulder joint are damaged — either from an injury or wear and tear — it can cause pain and limit your shoulder and arm movement. Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, can relieve pain and restore function by replacing the damaged areas of your shoulder joint with metal and plastic parts, called implants. 

Our orthopedic specialists are experts in shoulder replacement surgery, including reverse total shoulder replacement and other advanced approaches. Our surgeons have performed thousands of joint surgeries, offering experience and skill you can count on.  

Why You Might Need Shoulder Replacement Surgery 

Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that includes the ball (head) of your upper arm bone that fits into a socket in your shoulder blade. Cartilage coats and protects the ends of bones to let your shoulder joint move smoothly without friction. A group of muscles and tendons around your shoulder, called the rotator cuff, holds your shoulder in place and provides support, when you move your shoulder and arm. 

Damage to any part of your shoulder joint or rotator cuff can cause pain and weakness and limit shoulder and arm movement. When pain medicines, physical therapy or corticosteroid shots don’t relieve symptoms, your doctor may recommend a shoulder replacement. 

We use shoulder replacement surgery to treat shoulder conditions, such as:

• Osteoarthritis 
• Osteonecrosis (bone damage caused by blocked blood flow) 
• Rheumatoid arthritis (an immune system disorder that harms cartilage and bone)
• Rotator cuff injury 
• Upper arm bone fractures

Types of Shoulder Replacements We Offer 

Your doctor will explain which shoulder replacement surgery is right for you, such as:

• Hemiarthroplasty – Replaces the ball of your upper arm with a metal ball 
• Partial shoulder replacement – Replaces only the ball of the joint 
• Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty – Replaces the surface of the ball with a protective covering or cap 
• Reverse total shoulder replacement – Replaces the ball and socket, but the position is reversed — a ball is placed on your shoulder blade, where the socket was, and a socket is attached to your upper arm, where the ball was. 
• Total shoulder replacement – Replaces the ball and socket of the joint with implants 

We make sure you know what to expect before, during and after shoulder surgery. Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and worry-free as possible. 

What Is Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement? 

If you have a torn or severely damaged rotator cuff, or a previous shoulder replacement that failed, a conventional shoulder replacement may not relieve pain or restore full arm and shoulder movement. In these instances, your doctor may recommend total reverse shoulder arthroplasty instead.  

The procedure attaches a ball to your shoulder blade and a socket to your upper arm so that you use your deltoid muscle, instead of your torn rotator cuff, to lift your arm. This allows you to regain full movement in your shoulder joint. 

Enhance Shoulder Replacement Recovery with Physical Therapy 

Recovery after surgery takes time, but our physical therapy team is here to support you every step of the way. After surgery, your physical therapist will give you a personalized plan to help you recover safely, regain shoulder movement and maintain flexibility in your hand and arm. This one-on-one guidance ensures your recovery is as quick and comfortable as possible.