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![]() Shoulder arthritis causes the cartilage of the joint to wear thin and may expose open bone. Medical Multimedia Group More About ArthritisShoulder ArthritisArthritis - Wear and Tear OsteoarthritisRheumatoid Arthritis Soulder Replacement Surgery HelpMore About Joint ReplacementRelated SitesShoulder Replacement SurgeryAbout.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
Information about total shoulder replacementShoulder replacement surgery is an option for treatment of severe arthritis of the shoulder joint. Arthritis is a condition that affects the cartilage of the joints. As the cartilage lining wears away, the protective lining between the bones is lost--when this happens, painful bone-on-bone arthritis develops. Severe shoulder arthritis is quite painful, and can cause restriction of motion. While this may be tolerated with some medications and lifestyle adjustments, there may come a time when surgical treatment is necessary.
What are the symptoms of severe arthritis of the shoulder?
What treatments are available for shoulder arthritis? Total shoulder replacement surgery alleviates pain by replacing the damaged bone and cartilage with a metal and plastic implant. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, much like the hip joint. The ball is the top of the arm bone (the humerus), and the socket is within the shoulder blade (scapula). This joint allows people an enormous range of motion at the shoulder. When shoulder replacement surgery is performed, the ball is removed from the top of the humerus and replaced with a metal implant. This is shaped like a half-moon and attached to a stem inserted down the center of the arm bone. The socket portion of the joint is shaved clean and replaced with a plastic socket that is cemented into the scapula.
How do I know if I am ready for shoulder replacement surgery? Read on for more information about how shoulder replacement surgery is done, and what are the potential complications of shoulder replacement surgery... Updated: June 26, 2005 More About ArthritisShoulder ArthritisArthritis - Wear and Tear OsteoarthritisRheumatoid Arthritis Soulder Replacement Surgery HelpMore About Joint Replacement |
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