Shoulder Surgery
Whether due to a sports injury or genetics, if you are suffering from limited mobility on your shoulder and have not been able to mitigate it with non-surgical ways, shoulder surgery might be the best option. At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, orthopedic surgeon William Ashford, MD, can perform total shoulder arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) to help you regain your range of motion and reduce the pain.
What Is Shoulder Surgery?
The anatomy of the shoulder joint consists of a “ball and a socket,” where the ball is the head of the humerus bone and it is held by ligaments and the rotator cuff tendons. Your shoulders can rotate through a greater range than any other joint in your body.
The clavicle attaches your shoulder to the rib cage and holds it away from your body. The head of the humerus rests against the socket created. As shown in the figure. A smooth substance (cartilage) covers the surfaces of the bones where they connect, which enables them to glide and move easily.
A membrane also covers all the remaining surfaces and makes a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage.
The rotator cuff is made up of a group of muscles whose function is to keep the joint together. When the tendons in the rotator cuff tear, patients experience great pain and loss
Shoulder Surgery Options
Shoulder surgery is not the same for every injury. Depending on the type of joint damage you have, the surgeon might recommend the following:
- Anatomic total shoulder replacement. Both the ball and the socket are replaced and the prostheses resemble the natural shape of the bones.
- Reverse total shoulder replacement. In this case, the ball and the socket are replaced, too, but the prostheses are reversed. The ball is attached to the shoulder blade and the socket is attached to the upper arm bone. This option typically is preferred when the rotator cuff is severely damaged.
- Partial shoulder replacement. Only the head (ball) of the joint is replaced.
“Dr Ashford has been great to work with throughout my procedure. My experience has been better than I expected. I am very pleased with Ashford Orthopedics and have and will recommend Dr Ashford for any orthopedic needs.” —Charles R.
How Is Shoulder Surgery Performed?
Before your shoulder arthroplasty, you should tell Dr. Ashford about any pills that you’re taking. He may suggest that you stop taking certain medications (such as blood thinners) before surgery.
Once in the room, you will be positioned so that Dr. Ashford may adjust the arthroscope to have a clear view of the inside of your shoulder. You may be positioned in two ways:
- Beach chair position. Similar to sitting in a reclining chair.
- Lateral decubitus position. Lying on your side on the operating table.
During the procedure, you will receive anesthesia and a nerve block to minimize discomfort and guarantee freedom of action for the surgeon. Depending on the type of surgery, the procedure can last between 1 to 3 hours. Many patients can go back home on the same day, but in some more complex cases, they need to stay.
Why Is It Beneficial?
Shoulder surgery presents the following benefits:
- Patients feel less pain or no pain at all
- Improved range of motion
- Improved strength
- Restored motion
If you are experiencing shoulder pain or have suffered an injury to your shoulder, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book a personalized appointment online today.