We put a lot of stress and strain on our shoulder joints over the years, and eventually that can lead to structure breakdown or the onset of certain conditions that can affect the integrity and function of the shoulder joint. When this happens to a significant extent, the best course of action to restore function and relieve pain may be through a total shoulder joint replacement. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at four conditions that could eventually lead to the need to undergo total shoulder replacement surgery.
Problems That Lead To Shoulder Replacement
Significant damage from any of these health conditions may render conservative care futile in your quest to relieve pain and restore function in your shoulder joint.
- Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis onset is likely the most common reason why a person would eventually need total shoulder replacement. Osteoarthritis is considered the “wear and tear” type of arthritis where repetitive motion and decades of stress leads to a breakdown of the cartilage that protects the bone and facilitates easy movement. Performing repetitive motions can speed up this breakdown, which is why it’s often seen in manual laborers or machine operators who regularly lift their arms above their shoulders.
- Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy – Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is categorized by shoulder joint arthritis that also involves a significant tear to the rotator cuff. This typically leads to the permanent loss of the rotator cuff tendons and the normal surface of the shoulder joint. Conservative care tends to be ineffective at restoring normal function, so a total shoulder replacement is often recommended to improve pain and function. This condition tends to develop after acute trauma to the rotator cuff that goes untreated.
- Avascular Necrosis – Avascular necrosis occurs when an area of the shoulder bone dies as a result of limited or inadequate blood supply. This can happen as a result of trauma to the region, as a side effect of corticosteroid use, or because of excessive alcohol consumption. This dead portion can not be brought back to a functioning state with conservative methods, so the whole shoulder joint is typically replaced with an artificial component that restores function and reduces pain.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – Finally, rheumatoid arthritis is another common issue that can lead to the eventual need for total shoulder replacement. This autoimmune disease can lead to increased joint inflammation and faster structural breakdown, which over time can cripple the function of your shoulder joint. Replacing the affected joint with an artificial shoulder joint tends to be a safe and effective solution.
So if you’re dealing with shoulder pain caused by one of the above issues and you’re not seeing the results you’d hoped for with conservative care, talk with a surgeon about our replacement surgery options. We can help to relieve pain, improve function and increase your quality of life by replacing the degenerative joint with a functional artificial component. To learn how we’ve done it for countless patients in the past, or to talk with a specialist about your shoulder pain, contact Dr. G. Brian Holloway at (865) 410-7887 today.
