About the shoulder

The shoulder joint is one of the most important joints in the body. Shoulders provide a wide range of motion, enable extensive flexibility and movement, and support the functioning of the arms.

 

Shoulder injuries and wear and tear

Complex shoulder fractures, joint erosion, and tendon fiber tearing (tendinitis) can significantly impair quality of life because shoulder joints are needed for every action that the hands perform.

Shoulder treatments

Fortunately, there are innovative and effective treatments for shoulder pain. If conservative treatments such as medication do not help, surgery may be recommended.

Shoulder care at Assuta: Expert orthopedic surgery in Israel

At Assuta Medical Centers, shoulder surgeries are performed by orthopedic specialists. Shoulder joint surgery is considered one of the most complex orthopedic surgeries, so it is important to choose a surgeon who specializes in orthopedic surgery.

Shoulder replacement surgeries are quite common. The quality of implants is high, and the procedure has a high success rate in restoring the patient’s shoulder stability and movement.

 

Shoulder joint replacement surgery: When is it recommended and for whom is it suitable?

In some patients, most often in older adults, the joint may have completely eroded – when the patient has suffered for years from repeated dislocations that have resulted in erosion of the entire joint’s cartilage and bones. In these situations, an orthopedist may recommend replacement.

What does shoulder replacement surgery involve?

During joint replacement surgery, the surgeon attaches a hard plastic implant to the glenoid cavity (the relatively flat cavity in the shoulder blade) and positions and secures a second implant made of metal and hard plastic on the head of the humerus (upper arm bone).

The implant will sometimes be reinforced with a special ceramic coating to protect the joint. This material is considered very strong and, in most cases, can significantly improve joint durability.

How is the surgery performed?

The surgery is conducted using arthroscopy, in which an optical fiber with a camera is inserted through an incision near the joint so the surgeon can view the joint. This gives the surgeon a clear, accurate assessment of the situation so he/she can tailor the surgery accordingly. Additional small incisions are made around the shoulder through which the surgeon inserts other surgical instruments to perform procedure. The surgeon removes inflamed tissue, puts the implants in place, and reaffixes and sutures (sews) the tendons in place. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia,

When the joint bones (the upper arm bone and glenoid bone) are not damaged and only the cartilage is damaged, the surgeon may perform a partial joint replacement. During this procedure, the surgeon places a metal dome over the humerus, without affecting the glenoid cavity.

Chances of recovery

As with any invasive surgical procedure, shoulder replacement surgery can have complications. However, it is important to note that the surgery is successful in about 90% of cases. The surgery, followed by immediate rehabilitation and physical therapy (PT), can help reduce or eliminate pain and increase the patient’s ability to use the shoulder joint.

The importance of PT following surgery

Physiotherapy is an integral part of surgical success, enabling the patient to get used to the new joint and maximize movement and range of motion. Without this body retraining, the patient may not adapt well to the new joint, which may limit movement.

Recovery from shoulder replacement surgery is relatively long, taking about three to six months to return to function.