Shoulder Replacement
Total Shoulder Replacement in Surat
Anatomic total shoulder replacement at Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat — for shoulder arthritis where the rotator cuff is still intact.
In short: A total shoulder replacement resurfaces both the ball at the top of the arm bone and the socket on the shoulder blade, reproducing normal anatomy. It relies on the rotator cuff still working. Pain relief is generally excellent and movement usually improves substantially, with recovery running over several months.
What the operation does
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with an unusually shallow socket — the trade the body makes for having the widest range of movement of any joint. When arthritis destroys the cartilage lining both surfaces, the joint becomes painful and progressively stiff, and the pain characteristically becomes constant rather than activity-related.
An anatomic total replacement resurfaces both sides. A metal head replaces the worn ball, and a polyethylene component resurfaces the socket. The geometry mirrors the original joint, which is why the surrounding muscles and tendons continue to work as they did — provided they are intact.
That last condition is the whole decision. An anatomic replacement depends on the rotator cuff to hold the new ball centred. Where the cuff has failed, this operation is the wrong one, and a reverse replacement is used instead.
When it is considered
- Osteoarthritis of the shoulder with an intact rotator cuff
- Constant pain, including at rest and at night
- Progressive stiffness limiting dressing, washing and reaching
- X-rays showing loss of joint space and bone contact
- Symptoms persisting despite physiotherapy, injection and activity change
- Avascular necrosis of the humeral head where the socket is also affected
When it is not appropriate
- An irreparable rotator cuff tear. Without the cuff the new ball rides upward and the replacement fails — this is the situation reverse replacement exists to solve.
- Active infection, which must be cleared before any implant.
- Severe glenoid bone loss, where there may be too little bone to support a socket component.
- Neurological loss of deltoid or cuff function, where no implant will restore active movement.
- Stiffness without arthritis, where releasing the contracture may be all that is needed.
What the surgery involves
- Anaesthesia, usually general with a nerve block for pain relief afterwards
- An incision at the front of the shoulder, working between muscle planes
- The subscapularis tendon is taken down to reach the joint, and repaired at the end
- The worn humeral head is removed and the arm bone prepared for a stem
- The socket is prepared and a polyethylene component fixed
- Trial components used to check stability and range, then final components fitted
- The subscapularis is repaired securely — protecting that repair shapes the early rehabilitation
Book an appointment
Shoulder arthritis limiting daily life?
Speak to the clinic directly. Open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
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Recovery
| Stage | What to expect | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 0–4 | Sling worn. The subscapularis repair is protected, so outward rotation is restricted. | Pendulum and passive movement as instructed. Elbow, wrist and hand exercises. |
| Week 4–8 | Sling weaned. Movement improving. | Active assisted movement; light tasks at waist height. |
| Month 2–4 | Strength beginning to return. | Progressive strengthening under supervision. |
| Month 6–12 | Continued improvement; final result often not reached until close to a year. | Normal daily activity. Heavy overhead loading discouraged. |
Protecting the subscapularis repair in the first weeks matters. Forcing outward rotation early can disrupt it, and that repair is what keeps the new joint stable at the front.
Risks
- Later rotator cuff failure, which can cause the replacement to ride upward over time and may eventually require conversion to a reverse.
- Glenoid component loosening, the commonest long-term reason for revision.
- Subscapularis failure, causing weakness and instability at the front of the shoulder.
- Stiffness, particularly where movement was already limited beforehand.
- Infection, uncommon but serious with an implant present.
- Nerve injury, rare and usually temporary.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a reverse replacement?
An anatomic total replacement reproduces normal shoulder geometry and needs a working rotator cuff. A reverse replacement swaps the ball and socket so the deltoid can lift the arm without a cuff. The state of your cuff decides which is used.
Will my movement come back fully?
Most patients gain substantial movement and excellent pain relief, but a fully normal range is not the usual result. Improvement continues for up to a year.
Why can’t I rotate my arm outward at first?
Because the subscapularis tendon at the front is taken down during surgery and repaired at the end. Restricting outward rotation protects that repair while it heals.
How long will I be in a sling?
Commonly around four weeks, with guided passive movement started earlier. The exact period depends on tissue quality and what was done.
Can I sleep on that side?
Not initially. Most patients sleep propped up or on the opposite side for several weeks, returning to the operated side once comfort allows.
How long does a shoulder replacement last?
Most remain functional well beyond a decade. Loosening of the socket component and later rotator cuff failure are the two commonest reasons a replacement eventually needs revision.
Related treatments
Visit the clinic
Vedaant Orthopaedic CenterUG/9B Galloping Corridor, GD Goenka School Road
(Canal Road – VIP Road)
Surat, Gujarat 395007
| Monday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Medically reviewed by Dr Dev Padia, MS Ortho (USA)
Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat.
Last reviewed:
The information on this website is for general guidance and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own symptoms.