One of the most common questions from patients who are candidates for shoulder replacement surgery is “How long will the artificial shoulder joint last?” After all, nobody wants to undergo a significant procedure like joint replacement only to be told that they will need another operation down the road when the artificial joint eventually wears out. Despite the fact that artificial joints are more durable than ever before, just like your original joint, they aren’t immune from degeneration.
So how long can you expect your new shoulder joint to last? We tackle that question and more in today’s blog.
Will My New Shoulder Last Forever?
A number of different studies have taken aim at determining the average lifespan of an artificial shoulder joint, and most of the findings have been encouraging. A study by The Lancet found that over 90 percent of artificial shoulder joints are still providing patient-reported benefits 10 years after the initial procedure. According to research from the Mayo Clinic, they found that 93 percent of artificial shoulder joints lasted at least 10 years, and 87 percent lasted at least 15 years. In many instances, patients find that the lifespan of their new artificial shoulder joint is 20-30 years or more!
The vast majority of patients will not undergo another operation to replace a worn down artificial shoulder joint, but that’s not to say it never happens. If you suffer an injury or develop shoulder arthritis at a young age, it’s certainly possible that you’ll be healthy enough in your seventies that another replacement option is both necessary and viable.
Moreover, younger patients are more likely to need another shoulder replacement procedure because they tend to be more active than older adults who undergo the procedure. We want you to be active and use your new shoulder after replacement surgery, but if you put a lot of stress and strain on your new shoulder, it may degenerate faster than a much older adult who doesn’t use their shoulder nearly as much. Of course, this won’t happen overnight, so please don’t be afraid to remain active after shoulder replacement surgery.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that unless you are much younger than the average shoulder replacement candidate, odds are the artificial shoulder joint will last for the rest of your life. We’re only getting better at making durable hardware that can mimic the movements of a natural joint while also standing the test of time, so there’s no reason to assume that your new joint will break down anytime soon.
If you have additional questions about the shoulder replacement process, or you’ve been dealing with shoulder discomfort and want a specialist to help provide a diagnosis, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
