Shoulder joint replacement surgery is a very common procedure used to remove pain from severe arthritis or structural damage in the shoulder. This surgery has an extremely high success rate, but it is unfortunately not available for every patient. Anyone with a severe tear in the rotator cuff or poor muscle function in the shoulder will not be able to receive the traditional joint replacement surgery. Luckily, there is a different procedure designed to help out these patients. If you are suffering from an extremely damaged shoulder and do not qualify for the traditional joint replacement procedure, then you can undergo a reverse arthroplasty in Oklahoma City.
A reverse arthroplasty is a surgical procedure designed to repair the shoulder joint by replacing the damaged portions of the shoulder with implanted medical devices. A plastic device will be attached to the top of the arm bone. A metal ball will also be attached to the glenoid socket in the shoulder. The ball and socket will be on the opposite side of a normal shoulder, but it is the only way to structurally repair the joint without using the rotator cuff. This also means that you will be using your deltoid muscles to move the arm instead of the rotator cuff. Since the torn rotator cuff is no longer being used, your painful symptoms will go away.
Since it is extremely hard to completely numb the shoulder, you will be given a general anesthetic. Then, the surgeon will make an incision on the front of your shoulder. Once the damaged bone has been properly prepared, the replacement parts will be attached. The entire reverse arthroplasty procedure should take approximately two hours to complete.
The reverse arthroplasty procedure in Oklahoma City will require a short hospital stay. You will be able to get out of bed and eat normal foods a day after the surgery. Your arm will be placed in a sling before going home.
It should take approximately six weeks to fully recover from the reverse arthroplasty surgery. You will have to follow a strict physical rehabilitation program during this time. The exercises in this therapy program are designed to restore strength and range of motion in your shoulder. Your movements may be slightly limited after recovering, but you will no longer experience any pain when using your arm or shoulder.
Contact us today at Olsen Orthopedics and schedule your consultation to speak with someone on our team about reverse arthroplasty in Oklahoma City, OK.
