Patient Education Guide for Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Here is a comprehensive guide to shoulder replacement surgery, covering types, indications, preparation, procedure, recovery, and rehabilitation:

What is Shoulder Replacement?

Shoulder replacement, or shoulder arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where damaged parts of the shoulder joint are replaced with artificial components (prosthesIs). It’s commonly performed to relieve pain and restore function in shoulder affected by arthritis, fractures, or irreparable/severe rotator cuff tears.

Indications for Shoulder Replacement

Severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
Irreparable cuff tears
Severe fractures of the shoulder
Failed previous shoulder surgeries

Types of Shoulder Replacement

Type	Description	Uses
Total Shoulder Replacement (Anatomic TSA)	Both humeral head and glenoid are replaced	Arthritis
Reverse Shoulder Replacement (RSA)	Ball and socket positions are reversed	Arthritis/Massive rotator cuff tears/fractures
Partial Shoulder Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)	Humeral head is replaced	Fractures or limited joint damage
Resurfacing Arthroplasty	Capping of the joint surface	Young, active patients with minimal bone loss

Preoperative Preparation

Blood tests, X-rays, MRI/CT scans
XRAYS AND MRI SCANS (CT SCAN may also be required)
Medication review (stop blood thinners if advised)
Pre-anesthesia checkup
Stop smoking and alcohol
Plan home modifications for recovery
PRE-HAB physiotherapy
Discuss goals and expectations with surgeon and physiotherapist

Surgical Procedure (General Overview)

1. Anesthesia: General with intubation

2. Incision: Usually through the front of the shoulder (roughly 10cm)

3. Removal of damaged bone/cartilage

4. Placement of prosthetic components

5. Closure and dressing

Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Hospital stay: 1–2 days

Immediate Postoperative Care

Arm mobilization started same day after surgery (in our practice.
Stairs climbing 2nd day onwards
Discharge 2nd day
Antibiotics for 5 days
Can resume office work by 5-7th day
Start gentle passive physiotherapy (as per surgeon’s protocol) from day 1-2
Pain management (oral and IV meds) for 7-10 days
Stitches removal after 14 days
Full range of movement started from day 1
Monitor for infection, blood clots, nerve injury

Recovery Timeline

Timeframe	Milestones
Week 1-2	Pain control, wound care, active assisted ROM ex
Week 2-6	Gentle assisted ROM exercises, active movementstarted
Week 6-12	Start active ROM, mild resistance training
3-6 months	Strength training, return to daily activities
>6 months	Early return to activities/sports

Physical Therapy Goals

Regain range of motion
Strengthen rotator cuff and deltoid
Improve posture and joint protection
Resume daily and recreational activities safely

Life After Shoulder Replacement

Most patients achieve significant pain relief and functional improvement
Activities like swimming, golfing, and light tennis are often possible
Avoid high-impact sports or heavy lifting permanently
Regular follow-ups to monitor implant integrity
Expected ROM shoulder – FF/135, AB/120, ER/IR/45 roughly.

NOTE : These are rough guidelines, we have developed in our practice, over the years. Most of them are rough estimates, there may be variation in relation to complexity of case or as decided by your surgeon.

Consult Dr. Chirag Arora, best orthopedic surgeon in Gurgaon, for expert advice!