Although not as common as knee or hip replacements, conventional shoulder replacement surgery still brings relief to tens of thousands of people each year – about 53,000 people in the U.S., in fact. For patients that have experienced severe rotator cuff tears or damage, however, this surgery may not be as successful and could lead to further pain and limited mobility.

For these patients, a reverse total shoulder replacement is the better option.

What Is a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement?

Unlike a conventional shoulder replacement, which mimics the natural structure of the shoulder, a reverse shoulder replacement is, as its name suggests, reversed. A reverse shoulder replacement actually reverses the structure of the shoulder.

Conventional Shoulder Replacement

In a conventional shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed. The top part of the arm bone (the humerus) is hollowed out and a metal stem is implanted and secured with a metal ball placed on top. The shoulder socket (the glenoid) gets smoothed, reshaped and fitted with a plastic cup component. The repaired humerus and glenoid components are then joined by the surgeon to form the new shoulder joint.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement

In a reverse shoulder replacement, the socket and the metal ball are switched. The humerus is hollowed out and in this case, a metal socket component is implanted. The plastic cup gets fixed to the top of this implant, rather than the metal ball. The glenoid is reshaped and implanted with the metal ball component instead. The ball and socket components are then aligned to form the new joint.

Which One is Right for You?

As we mentioned above, a reverse shoulder replacement is more effective for patients who have damage to their rotator cuff. This is because a reverse shoulder replacement relies on the deltoid muscle, rather than the damaged rotator cuff, to operate the arm for everyday use such as elevating, rotating, and stabilizing. In this case, the deltoid muscle is sturdier and more capable of controlling these functions.

A large, long-standing rotator cuff tear can also lead to a condition known as cuff tear arthropathy which is severe shoulder arthritis in the location of the tear. Patients with this condition are especially good candidates for a reverse shoulder replacement.

Other reasons a reverse shoulder replacement may be recommended rather than a conventional one include having a previous total shoulder replacement that was unsuccessful or a complex fracture of the shoulder joint.

In any case, an orthopaedic surgeon can discuss your options and the best course of treatment for your particular condition. The decision to have any type of surgery is a serious one, and something that should be discussed between you, your family, and your surgeon.

Meet with a Specialist at MidAmerica Orthopaedics Today to See If Reverse Shoulder Replacement Is Right for You

Our orthopaedic surgeons at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic are well versed in both conventional and reverse shoulder replacement surgery. They can discuss the different treatment options available to you and help you decide which one suits your particular situation best.

MidAmerica Orthopaedics has two locations in Illinois, one in Palos Hills and one in Mokena. We serve much of the surrounding locations including Chicago, Tinley Park, Evergreen Park, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and more.

Give us a call to start your path towards treatment and recovery at (708) 237-7200, or you can request an appointment online .