Shoulder Replacement

Just like other joint replacements, shoulder replacements are safe and effective procedures for relieving pain and allowing you to resume your activities of daily living.

Type of shoulder replacements

If nonsurgical treatments and therapies are no longer giving you relief from your shoulder pain, you may want to consider shoulder replacement surgery. There are different types of shoulder replacements. Your doctor at the Henry Ford Center for Joint Replacement will carefully consider which option is best for you.

• Total shoulder replacement: A total shoulder replacement relieves arthritis by replacing the worn out joint surfaces with an artificial joint made of metal (cobalt chrome) and plastic (polyethylene).
• Reverse shoulder replacement: This procedure changes the orientation of the shoulder by replacing the glenoid (normal socket) with an artificial ball, and the humeral head (normal ball) is replaced with an implant.
• Shoulder resurfacing: Partial (Hemi) shoulder resurfacing is an alternative surgical option to total shoulder replacement. Resurfacing is less invasive than traditional total shoulder replacement, as it is designed to resurface only the head of the humerus with a metal cap.

Learn more about what to expect.

Is shoulder replacement right for you?

The decision to have a shoulder replacement is a combined decision made by you, your Henry Ford doctor and your entire Henry Ford care team. The key factors that determine whether to have shoulder replacement surgery include the following:

• Severe shoulder pain that interferes with your ability to perform activities of daily living such as getting dressed or reaching for an item
• Moderate to severe pain while resting and/or while you sleep
• Limited mobility and reduced range of motion
• Little to no improvement in shoulder pain after nonsurgical treatments