Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Procedure, Types, Recovery, and Expectations

Shoulder arthroplasty replaces damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components to relieve pain and restore function.

Types of Shoulder Replacement

• Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA): Replaces both humeral head (ball) and glenoid (socket). Requires intact rotator cuff.
• Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (rTSA): Ball on glenoid, socket on humerus. For rotator cuff tear arthropathy, massive irreparable tears, failed prior surgery.
• Hemiarthroplasty: Humeral head only. For fractures, focal arthritis with healthy glenoid.
• Stemless / Short-stem implants: Bone-preserving options for younger patients.

Surgical Process (Typical)

1. General anesthesia ± interscalene block.
2. Deltopectoral or anterosuperior approach.
3. Humeral head resection, glenoid preparation (reaming, baseplate for rTSA).
4. Component trialing, soft-tissue balancing.
5. Final implantation (cemented or press-fit).
6. Closure, sterile dressing, sling immobilization.

Recovery Timeline

• 0–6 weeks: Sling full-time (except hygiene/PT), passive/active-assisted ROM only, no active elevation/external rotation.
• 6–12 weeks: Wean sling, progressive active ROM, light strengthening.
• 3–6 months: Advanced strengthening, functional training, return to most activities.
• 6–12 months: Maximal improvement; continue home exercises.

Outcomes

90%+ patient satisfaction. Pain relief is reliable; motion recovery varies (better with intact cuff/anatomic TSA). Risks: infection (<1%), nerve injury, instability, loosening, fracture, stiffness.

Success depends on surgeon experience, appropriate patient selection, and dedicated rehabilitation.