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Try Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement to Relieve Shoulder Arthritis at Dignity Health

A reverse total shoulder replacement is a type of shoulder surgery for arthritis. Three bones make up the ball-and-socket structure of your shoulder joint: upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle). The ball is the head of the humerus. It sits in a bony socket in your scapula, in an area called the glenoid.

In a traditional total shoulder replacement at Dignity Health, an experienced orthopedic surgeon implants a metal ball into the humerus bone and a socket into the glenoid. For reverse total shoulder replacement, the surgeon places the socket on top of the humerus and the ball into the glenoid. 

Look to Dignity Health to perform your reverse total shoulder replacement in Sacramento or the surrounding areas. Many of our state-of-the-art hospitals are nationally recognized for our joint replacements, and are participants in both the California and American Joint Replacement Registries. Find a Doctor to learn about your shoulder surgery options or call (916) 851-2511 for a doctor referral.

 

Why We Perform Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement in the Sacramento Region

The main reason our experts perform reverse total shoulder replacement is shoulder arthritis caused by a major rotator cuff tear

You may be a candidate for reverse total shoulder replacement if:

  • Shoulder pain, stiffness, and weakness from arthritis and a torn rotator cuff are limiting your quality of life.
  • You having ongoing symptoms and loss of function after traditional total shoulder replacement.
  • Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, or other treatments haven’t improved your symptoms.

 

What to Expect from Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Trust your orthopedic surgeon and care team at Dignity Health to fully prepare you for your surgery through our joint replacement class. During surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged ball and attaches a plastic socket to the humerus. The metal ball is screwed into the glenoid socket. These new surfaces glide easily against each other allowing pain-free range of motion.

Most people need stay up to three nights in the hospital. Your care team will fit you with a sling to keep your shoulder stable while it is healing. Plan to wear the sling for four to six weeks. Before you have surgery, move anything at home on high shelves to a lower area. You also may need help at home for the first couple of weeks to help you with activities like driving and cooking.

 

Shoulder Replacement Recovery

Pain control and physical therapy are an important part of your recovery. Pain management helps you get the rest you need to recover and start physical therapy. Rehabilitation helps prevent joint stiffness and builds strength in the muscles that support the shoulder. Gradually, you’ll regain shoulder function, strength, and stability. Full recovery can take several months. Rely on the professionals at Dignity Health to assist you every step of the way. 

Dignity Health offers expertise in orthopedics procedures such as reverse total shoulder replacement in the Sacramento region.