Do you experience shoulder pain when getting dressed, using the restroom, bathing/showering, or simply bending or straightening your arm?
Shoulder pain may be preventing you from from relaxing, sleeping, and can limit activities you enjoy, such as swimming, driving, gardening, or playing golf. If you have experienced any combination of these symptoms or others and medications are not providing enough relief, your doctor may suggest a shoulder replacement surgery.
Let’s begin with the shoulder joint anatomy to better understand how the shoulder works.
Your shoulder joint is comprised of two bones: the humerus (upper arm bone) and the scapula. The humeral head moves or 'articulates' against the socket of the scapula, called the glenoid cavity, during movement. The surface of the bones is coated with a smooth tissue called articular cartilage. There are two main issues that could affect the shoulder joint: osteoarthritis and cuff tear arthropathy (CTA).
Osteoarthritis usually occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of bones deteriorates with use and age. This wear can cause shoulder pain.
In Cuff Tear Arthropathy (CTA) not only the cartilage is damaged, but also the rotator cuff tendons, which connect the muscles to the bones to provide stability. In the case of rotator cuff insufficiency, pain may occur during movement.
If you are experiencing shoulder issues and the recommended treatments do not work, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a shoulder replacement surgery.
