Total shoulder joint replacement

Restoring function and reducing pain

Imagine your shoulder as a ball and socket joint. During total shoulder joint replacement surgery, a surgeon removes the damaged components of your shoulder and replaces them with new, smooth, and durable parts made from metal and plastic.

This procedure is specifically designed to help reduce pain, enhance your range of motion, and enable you to return to everyday activities, such as reaching, lifting, or even playing sports. Most patients report that after recovery from total shoulder joint replacement, they can move their shoulder more easily and enjoy a better quality of life.

Who is a Candidate?

• Patients with severe shoulder arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis) causing pain and limited function
• Those with loss of daily activity function (difficulty dressing, lifting, or reaching)
• Non-surgical treatments (physiotherapy, medications, injections) have failed.

Recovery Timeline

May vary with provider

• Hospital stay: 1–3 days.
• Early recovery: Arm immobilised in a sling for 2–4 weeks; gentle passive movement exercises may begin immediately.
• Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy progresses gradually from passive to active-assisted to active exercises over 6–12 weeks.
• Return to daily activities: 6–12 weeks, depending on mobility and pain.
• Full recovery: 6–12 months for strength and function; heavy lifting may be restricted long-term.

Benefits

• Significant pain relief
• Improved range of motion and shoulder function
• Restoration of independence in daily activities
• High patient satisfaction and long-term durability (typically 10–20 years).

Risks 

• Infection, bleeding, blood clots
• Nerve or blood vessel injury
• Dislocation or instability of the prosthesis
• Loosening or wear of the implant over time
• Persistent pain or limited motion
• Need for revision surgery in the future.

This is just an outline. Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.

Total shoulder replacement can dramatically improve pain and function, but recovery is slower than knee or hip replacement, and success depends on rehabilitation and rotator cuff integrity.