The shoulder is the most moveable and flexible joint in the body, which also means it’s one of the most fragile. It is a ball and socket joint comprised of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collarbone). The touching surfaces of the bones covered with articular cartilage, a smooth substance that protects the bones and enables them to move freely. The synovial membrane, a thin, smooth tissue, covers all remaining surfaces inside the shoulder joint. In a healthy shoulder, this membrane makes a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage and eliminates almost any friction in your shoulder. Muscles and tendons around the joint provide critical stability and support. This shoulder anatomy provides the greatest range of motion of any joint in the human body.

Several conditions can cause shoulder pain and disability and motivate patients to consider shoulder joint replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis following a serious shoulder injury or fracture, a long-standing rotator cuff tear, Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis) and severe fractures can all be reasons to consider shoulder joint reconstruction and replacement surgery.

Although shoulder joint replacement is less common than knee or hip replacement surgery, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain. During surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components known as a prosthesis. The treatment options are to either replace just the head of the humerus bone (ball), or replacement of both the ball and the socket (glenoid). Your physician will discuss the different surgical treatment options and techniques with you and explain the high function of today’s state-of-the-art prosthetics. The right procedure depends on your age, level of activity, severity of your shoulder pain or arthritis and goals for future mobility.