Arthritis is estimated to affect 54 million adults and almost 300,00 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is often called simply “arthritis,” and this type affects the joints.
Complications and comorbidities are common for those with arthritis, especially among patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. When arthritis continues to worsen in the shoulder, knee, or hip, a total shoulder replacement may be recommended by your orthopedic doctor to relieve your joint pain.
When Is Total Replacement Necessary for Arthritis?
Total joint replacement surgery was first performed in the United States in the 1950s to help treat severe shoulder fractures, but shoulder surgery is quickly becoming the treatment of choice for those suffering from severe, debilitating, and painful forms of arthritis. According to the HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, it is estimated that 53,000 people in the United States have total replacement surgery each year.
So, when do doctors advise their patients to undergo total joint replacement to treat their arthritis?
If nonsurgical treatments such as medication, pain-relief injections, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy do not help to relieve your arthritis pain, your doctor may advise you to consider total joint replacement surgery. Shoulder surgery is a safe and effective orthopedic procedure that can help to greatly relieve shoulder pain and help you regain your strength in the arm.
What Happens in Total Replacement Surgery?
In total joint replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with a prosthesis – essentially, an artificial shoulder. The top of the humerus bone (upper arm bone) and the glenoid socket are replaced with prosthetic parts, so the shoulder can move flexibly again and you don’t feel the arthritis pain anymore.
Any type of arthritis can be a reason behind needing total replacement surgery, as the chronic and progressive inflammation damages the cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear type of arthritis that frequently occurs as we get older or in athletes. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is actually an autoimmune disease and affects organs beyond just the bones and joints.
Total replacement surgery may also be required after a serious shoulder injury, such as a car accident or a severe sports accident. This is sometimes called post-traumatic arthritis, which is a type of osteoarthritis.
Orthopedic Surgeons in Ft. Lauderdale
If you are looking for a shoulder surgeon who can help you find relief from your shoulder pain, arthritis, or disability, contact our team at Total Orthopaedic Care. Our orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating arthritis and joint pain, and we have many years of experience in joint replacement surgery of all kinds.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and find out whether total joint replacement surgery is right for you. Call us at (954) 735-3535 or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you get back to the active lifestyle you love!
