10X more shoulder replacements?
Adults are over 10 times more likely to have shoulder replacement surgery in parts of Michigan than in many other areas of the U.S.
Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care
Smart health facts: Shoulder replacement surgery
Do you have an injury, chronic arthritis pain or inflammation in your shoulder? Before deciding on shoulder replacement surgery, talk to your doctor about non-surgical options and the treatment that is right for you.
The shoulder is made up of a ball and socket joint. In shoulder replacement, a cut is made over your shoulder joint to take out the top part of your upper arm bone and replace it with a plastic stem and metal ball. The surgeon will cement the plastic stem in place. A temporary drain may be placed in your shoulder to keep fluid from building up in the joint. When the drain is no longer needed, the doctor will take it out.
Why you might need shoulder replacement surgery
- Torn or damaged shoulder tissues
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- A badly broken bone in the arm near the shoulder
- A tumor in or around the shoulder
Understand the risks of shoulder replacement surgery
- Allergic reaction to the artificial joint
- Bleeding, blood vessel damage, blood clot
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Loosening or dislocation of the artificial joint
Ask your doctor about other options
Other options that may work for you and help you avoid surgery include:
- Lifestyle changes, for example staying away from lifting heavy objects or repeatedly lifting your arms overhead
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Physical therapy
- Ibuprofen, aspirin or corticosteroid injections to relieve pain and reduce swelling
- Alternative therapy
- A less invasive surgery, such as shoulder arthroscopy
Learn more
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