Patient Education: About Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder Replacement

The Procedure
There are two types of shoulder replacement procedures:
• A partial shoulder joint replacement is used when the glenoid socket is intact and does not need to be replaced.
• A total shoulder joint replacement is used when the glenoid socket needs to be replaced.

The artificial shoulder joint can have either two or three moving parts, depending on the type of surgery required.
• The humeral component (metal) is implanted in the humerus
• The humeral head component (metal) replaces the humeral head at the top of the humerus
• The glenoid component (plastic) replaces the surface of the glenoid socket

The Results
• Study of 24 patients who had undergone total shoulder replacement*
• Before surgery, 100% of patients had disabling pain
• After surgery, 92% of patients had no pain

*Friedman RJ et al., JBJS. 1989;71:494-498.

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