Shoulder replacement
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The top of your arm (humerus) fits into a socket (glenoid). Wear and tear or an injury can result in pain and restricted movement in the joint.
Why might I need a shoulder replacement?
A common cause for shoulder replacement is arthritis.
If your shoulder pain does not respond to conservative treatment your consultant may recommend shoulder replacement.
What happens during shoulder replacement surgery?
Shoulder replacement is usually performed under general anaesthetic. The operation usually takes about 2 hours. Local anaesthetic may also be put into the joint to help with pain control following your surgery.
Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your shoulder and remove the damaged ball (head of the humerus). They will replace the ball and sometimes also the socket. They may also make any necessary repairs to your rotator cuff tendons (tissue that attaches muscle to a bone). They will close your wound and a dressing may be applied. Your arm will be in a sling. Most patients stay in hospital 1 – 2 nights.
A physiotherapist will visit you before you leave hospital to show you gentle exercises. You will not be able to use your operated hand for up to 6 weeks following your surgery. Be sure and discuss any concerns you have about daily activities with our care team before you leave.
Going home after shoulder replacement
Your shoulder will be sore and swollen for several weeks. You should take any pain killers regularly to stay ahead of pain and help you get mobile. Use ice packs or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to help reduce any swelling in your shoulder.
Keep your wound clean and dry until your follow-up appointment. Follow any instructions you are given regarding increasing your range of motion or decreasing the use of your sling.
Over the next few months you will work with a physiotherapist to progress to more vigorous exercise. It is important to keep up your exercises so that your shoulder does not become stiff.
Follow any instructions you are given regarding lift or reaching.
It can take up to 6 months to see significant improvement. Range of motion and strength in your shoulder will continue to improve for up to 2 years.
With any surgical procedure there can be complications including:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (incision) or joint
- Scarring
- Chest infection
- Heart attack or stroke
Specific complications of shoulder replacement:
- Nerve injury
- Dislocation
- Fracture of the upper arm
- Rotator cuff tears
- Loosening of the joint.
Select a region to find a hospital
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Bournemouth
01202 29186667 Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1RW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Brentwood
01277 695695Shenfield Road, Brentwood, CM15 8EH
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Brighton
01273 624 488Warren Road, Brighton, BN2 6DX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Bristol
0117 906 48703 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1BN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Cambridge
01223 370 9224 Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AF
CQCOverall ratingOutstanding -
Cardiff and Vale
02920 836700The Vale Hospital, Hensol Castle Park, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JX
NONEOverall rating -
Cheltenham
01242 246574Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6SY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Chester
01244 680 444Wrexham Road, Chester, CH4 7QP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Chichester
01243 53060078 Broyle Road, Chichester, PO19 6WB
CQCOverall ratingOutstanding -
Derby
01332 540100Rykneld Road, Derby, DE23 4SN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Exeter
01392 276 591Wonford Road, Exeter, EX2 4UG
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Glasgow
0141 334 944125 Beaconsfield Road, Glasgow, G12 0PJ
HISOverall ratingGood -
Guildford
01483 555 800Stirling Road, Guildford, GU2 7RF
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Haywards Heath
01444 456999Burrell Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1UD
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Hereford
01432 355 131Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DF
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Highgate
020 8341 418217-19 View Road, Highgate, London, N6 4DJ
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Ipswich
01473 279100Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP4 5SW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Leeds
0113 32272512 Leighton Street, Leeds, LS1 3EB
CQCOverall ratingOutstanding -
Leicester
0116 276 9401Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, LE5 1HY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Newcastle upon Tyne
01912 816 131Clayton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 1JP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
North Staffordshire
01782 432227Clayton Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 4DB
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital
020 3386 900038 Giltspur Street, London, EC1A 7BS
Overall rating -
Oxford
01865 307777Beech Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7RP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Parkside
020 8971 800053 Parkside, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5NX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Plymouth
01752 775 861Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BG
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Shrewsbury
01743 282500Longden Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9DP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Taunton
01823 286 991Staplegrove Elm, Taunton, TA2 6AN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Tees
01642 360 100Junction Road, Norton, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1PX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
The Holly
020 8505 3311High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5HX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Tunbridge Wells
01892 531 111Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4UL
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Warwickshire
01926 427971The Chase, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, CV32 6RW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Wessex
02380 266 377Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Woking
01483 227800Shores Road, Woking, GU21 4BY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Wolverhampton
0300 1311406Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8LE
CQCOverall ratingGood -
York
01904 233225Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
CQCOverall ratingGood
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