Shoulder replacement surgery is becoming an increasingly popular procedure for many people suffering from shoulder pain and immobility. Shoulder replacement surgery is generally effective in most cases; the new joint usually lasts ten years or longer. However, there are a lot of factors that can affect whether a shoulder replacement is successful or not.
Here are the success rates for this surgery and how you can increase your operation’s likelihood of success.
What Are The Success Rates For Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
A shoulder replacement surgery repairs or replaces the shoulder joint. There are two types of shoulder replacement surgery: partial and total. The orthopedic surgeon will replace part or all of the joint with synthetic materials, like plastic, metal, or ceramic.
In a partial replacement, only one part of the joint is damaged, so the orthopedic surgeon only replaces the damaged section. In a total shoulder replacement, you will receive an entirely new joint.
Generally speaking, shoulder replacement surgeries performed today are successful about 90 percent of the time. This success rate includes standard and reverses total shoulder replacements.
Patients who receive a reverse total shoulder replacement are more likely to regain their range of motion than those who receive a conventional total shoulder arthroplasty.
Increasing Shoulder Replacement Surgery Success Chances
It’s important to note that all surgeries have some risk. There might also be unforeseeable factors that may hamper a patient’s recovery or limit the effectiveness of the surgery.
There are many ways to improve the success rate of shoulder replacement surgery. As patients, one of the best ways to improve it is by adhering to your recovery plan. Here are some tips to help increase the likelihood of success after an operation.
Rest
Rest is one of the most critical parts of ensuring a successful operation. After a shoulder replacement surgery, your body will do its work to help repair the joint. It’s vital to let your body do this work.
While recovering, it will benefit you to avoid straining your shoulder. Avoiding shoulder strain will mean that you shouldn’t do many activities, such as:
- Playing sports
- Lifting objects heavier than a glass of water
- Keeping your arm extended
Many of the activities people do daily place a little strain on the shoulder. It might feel challenging to avoid using your shoulder for a long time while you recover, but resting it will significantly improve your shoulder replacement surgery’s chances for success.
Exercise And Physical Therapy
While resting your shoulder helps, leaving it immobile for too long might slow your recovery. Your shoulder replacement surgeon might give you a set of light shoulder exercises or recommend a physical therapist for you to see.
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who specializes in helping patients restore movement and function. They have extensive experience with techniques that improve a patient’s mobility, range of motion, and strength. Most orthopedic surgeries require the follow-up treatment of a physical therapist.
These exercises or physical therapy techniques typically place very little strain on your shoulder. However, they also help improve blood flow to the joint and prevent it from becoming stiff. One of the most basic things to do is to flex your elbow and move your hands to maintain circulation through the arm.
Work With Your Orthopedic Doctor
After a shoulder replacement surgery, your orthopedic doctor will create a recovery plan for you to follow. You must follow this plan precisely. Always check in with your doctor if you feel something unusual.
You can expect some swelling and bruising after the operation. These symptoms are normal. Your doctor will prescribe painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medicine to help you manage these expected symptoms. However, some things to watch out for include the following:
- Extreme pain, even with medicine use
- Yellowish or bloody discharge from the surgical incision
- Redness or a foul odor at the surgical incision
- Fever
It’s best to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, as these are signs of an infection.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery In Dover, NJ
Shoulder replacement surgeries performed by experienced surgeons are effective and usually successful. The best way to ensure a successful outcome for shoulder replacement surgery is for patients to work closely with experienced orthopedic surgeons. It’s also critical to follow the recovery plan that your orthopedic surgeon prescribes. Taken together, you can significantly increase the chances for success of a shoulder replacement surgery.
If you need shoulder replacement surgery, see the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons have significant experience performing shoulder replacements. So, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands when you trust us with your medical care.
You can contact us at (973) 989-0888. Alternatively, you can use our online appointment request form to schedule a consultation. We look forward to serving you!
