Partial Vs. Total Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement surgery is a common procedure done to relieve pain in the shoulder joint. The type of surgery performed for an individual patient--total or partial--is chosen based on the condition of the shoulder joint.

Anatomy

• The shoulder is a ball and socket joint consisting of three bones--the humerus, scapula, and clavicle--as well as the tendons and muscles that make up the rotator cuff. The glenoid is the shallow, flat area of the scapula where the humerus bone sits, forming the socket of the shoulder joint.

Total vs. Partial Replacement

• Total replacement involves replacing the head of the humerus bone (the “ball”) as well as the glenoid (the “socket”) that makes up the shoulder joint. With partial replacement, the surgeon replaces only the humerus.

Reasons for Shoulder Surgery

• Shoulder surgery is commonly done on patients suffering from arthritis. It can also be performed on those who have had severe bone fractures of the shoulder.

Rationale

• When the cartilage of the humerus and the glenoid has worn away, total replacement will be done. If the glenoid cartilage is still in tact, only partial replacement is needed.

Recovery

• Generally, after 6 months most patients who have had total replacement are pain-free and have regained most of their strength and range of motion. After one year, almost all patients are completely symptom free. The recovery time for partial replacement surgery is usually shorter.