Why does my shoulder hurt?
To help you get a better idea of why your shoulder hurts, take a look at how it works. Your shoulder has the greatest range of motion of all your joints. A ball-and-socket joint, it gets tremendous support from several muscles and other soft tissues that keep the joint in the proper position and moving freely. Frequently referred to as the rotator cuff, this collection of muscles and tendons provides the shoulder joint with stability and support. When it’s working well, you don't think about your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), your collar bone (clavicle), or all the soft tissue helping them work well. But, when something's wrong, the pain can be debilitating.
Can you lift your arm?
If you've been suffering with shoulder pain and can no longer do the things you once loved doing, it may be time to consider shoulder replacement (also called shoulder arthroplasty). Shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged parts of your shoulder joint with implants. The procedure is done to ease pain and improve shoulder function and may allow you to return to a more active lifestyle.
Putting your shoulder to the test
Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, allowing you to live an active life and easily complete everyday tasks like combing your hair, getting dressed, and driving. Your shoulder joint gets put to the test every day. The pain you're experiencing may be due to overuse, an injury, or chronic swelling or inflammation – most often referred to as arthritis.
Find out why your shoulder hurts.
References:
- The Arthritis Foundation. What is Osteoarthritis. https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/osteoarthritis/.
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy: evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment: AAOS exhibit selection. Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012 Mar 21;94(6):e34. dos: 10.2106/JBJS.K.00746. Nam D, Maak TG, Raphael BS, Kepler CK, Cross MB, Warren RF. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22438007.
- The Mayo Clinic. Dislocated Shoulder. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369859.
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htm
Shoulder replacement
Anatomic total shoulder joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with painful, disabling joint disease of the shoulder resulting from: degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis. Additional indications could include but not limited to: aseptic necrosis of the humeral head, proximal humeral fracture and revision of previous unsuccessful hemiarthroplasty or other procedures.
Reverse total shoulder joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with a functional deltoid muscle and with massive and non-repairable rotator cuff tear with pain disabled by: rheumatoid arthritis, non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease, humeral head fracture, traumatic arthritis and revision of devices if adequate bone stock remains.
Shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with any active or suspected latent infection in or about the shoulder joint, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis in stability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care. Additionally, shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients whose anticipated activities would impose high stresses on the prosthesis and its fixation.
As with any surgery, shoulder joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, intraoperative complications, component wear, nerve damage, loosening of shoulder components and dislocation of the shoulder prosthesis.
Implant related risks which may lead to a revision or removal of the implant include being overweight, manual labor activities, some sports activities, patient age, activity level, medical conditions, alcohol or drug addiction, and mental disorders. Shoulder joint implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment, and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.
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OT-AWI-53 Oct-2023