Overview

What is Shoulder Resurfacing Arthroplasty?

Shoulder resurfacing is a replacement alternative for young patients with an active lifestyle.

Instead of cutting and replacing the two bones in the joint (humerus and scapula), shoulder resurfacing only replaces the damaged top part of the arm bone with a hemispheric metallic head.

This offers a fresh surface to the ball of the joint while leaving much of the natural bone intact. After the diseased or injured portion is removed, the resurfacing prosthesis is secured to the bone.

The prosthesis is in the form of the ball of the upper arm, which fits into the shoulder socket that forms the shoulder joint. The upper arm prosthesis has a metal ball attached to a metal stem, which is inserted through the center of the upper arm or humerus. This part is cemented in so that the replacement metal head is held securely in place. The reshaped socket holds the humeral head replacement, providing greater stability to the shoulder joint, and with the recovery of normal muscle power, allows the pain-free return of full range of motion to the shoulder joint and the arm.

Shoulder resurfacing may allow for more bone retention, and if future revision surgery should be needed, the surgery is not nearly as extensive, making recovery much quicker for the patient. The damaged or diseased shoulder joint cannot be too advanced for this procedure; patient selection is crucial to maximum success.

Who may be a candidate for shoulder resurfacing?

It is ideal for patients who require help with providing relief from pain and improvement in mobility that is not heavily dysfunctional for a full replacement.

The technique in the resurfacing procedure can be used in patients whose arthritis is mild to moderate and only found at the head of the humerus. It is best suited for individuals who have the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Avascular necrosis
Rotator cuff disease or injury
Post-trauma arthritis
Preparation for shoulder resurfacing surgery

Surgeons also recommend preoperative strengthening of the muscles around the shoulder. Preoperative strengthening is helpful during postoperative recovery since the muscles are kept at maximum strength. In surgeries, the muscles waste away, thus complicating recovery. The attending physician may order testing and diagnostics to ensure the patient's health.

How to be prepared for shoulder resurfacing surgery?

Doctors recommend preoperative strengthening of the surrounding muscles of the shoulder. The preoperative strengthening will be useful in the postoperative recovery since the muscles would have reached full strength. Muscles contract after surgeries and this may become complicated during the process of recovery. The primary physician may offer some testing and diagnostics for the assurance of good health.

What is the procedure of shoulder resurfacing surgery?

The following are some steps of this procedure:

The surgeon removes the diseased or injured part of the humeral head.
The surgeon attaches a hemispheric metal head to the bone.
A metal stem is inserted down the center of the humerus and cemented in place.
The patient wakes up with an arm sling on.

What happens after shoulder resurfacing surgery?

After the shoulder resurfacing surgery, the patient is advised to spend a day or two in the hospital. A day after the surgery, the bandages are going to be removed by a nurse, and the patient is going to be started on a physical therapy course. In addition to the physical therapy course undertaken, the surgeon also prescribes an at-home program so that the patient gets appropriate rehabilitation. Up to 6 weeks, the patient is usually provided with a sling to avoid unnecessary movement of the joint. Total recovery time differs, but patients can usually start driving two to six weeks after surgery while engaging in recreational activities such as golf around 3 months after surgery.

How long does it take to recover after shoulder resurfacing surgery?

The majority of the people are usually functional and active within 4 to 6 weeks, but they cannot participate in sports until they reach the 3-to-6-month period.

What are the benefits of having a shoulder resurfacing?

Shoulder resurfacing is largely thought of as an alternative to a total shoulder replacement. Only a qualified doctor can decide whether this would be suitable for the patient. If your surgeon tells you that shoulder resurfacing is the best option for you, there are so many advantages in having shoulder resurfacing: