Total Shoulder and Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Connecting You to a Life Without Joint Pain Through Shoulder Replacement Surgery

For shoulder pain and instability that takes a toll on work and leisure activities, joint replacement can offer relief and restore function.
Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the damaged ends of the arm bone (humerus) and shoulder bone (scapula) and caps them with artificial surfaces lined with plastic or metal. Surgeons replace the top of the upper arm bone with a long metal piece that has a rounded head. If the cup-shaped surface of the shoulder bone also is damaged, they smooth it and cover the surface with plastic or metal. Cement can be used to hold these components in place, or material is used that allows new bone to grow into the joint component over time, to hold it without using cement.
For patients with painful arthritis and rotator cuff tears, traditional shoulder replacement reduces the range of motion and may even exacerbate pain. A reverse total shoulder replacement, or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), is a newer alternative for these patients.
During a reverse total shoulder replacement, your surgeon replaces damaged tissue with a prosthetic joint—just like conventional joint replacement. The difference is that the position of the socket and ball is switched, which allows healthy muscles and tendons to do the work of an irreparable rotator cuff.