Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Our surgeons at the University of Maryland Orthopaedics will help you determine if surgery should be your next option and whether you would benefit from reverse shoulder replacement. 

Who Needs Total Shoulder Replacement

A total shoulder replacement can help increase your range of motion and relieve pain from arthritis, fractures and rotator cuff tears. You may need shoulder replacement surgery if you:

• Have daily pain (namely a consistent grinding sensation) in your shoulder that makes it difficult to reach up or prevents you from performing normal activities
• Have had significant damage to your shoulder from trauma
• Have tried nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy and medications without success

Conditions which could require total replacement include:

• Torn rotator cuff
• Broken shoulder
• Shoulder arthritis

What to Expect From Surgery

You will receive general or regional anesthesia and be asleep during this surgery. We will remove your damaged shoulder socket and replace it with a plastic socket. Next, we will remove the ball from the top of your upper forearm bone, the humerus, and replace it with a metal ball and stem. The stem fits into your arm bone, and the ball fits into the shoulder socket. The surgery takes about two and a half hours.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After the surgery, we will immobilize your arm for six weeks. Your recovery team will show you how to manage swelling and pain. You will use your arm for activities like eating and brushing your teeth starting the morning after surgery. The hospital stay is typically one night, though many patients go home the same day.

During your first eight weeks at home, you will do exercises to improve motion. Your physical therapist will gradually add exercises to strengthen muscles.

You should be able to eat, dress and do most daily activities within the first week or two following surgery. Full recovery takes about four to six months.

Make an Appointment

Make an appointment with a shoulder surgeon or learn more about our locations and treatment options. Call 410-448-6400 or request an appointment online.