Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement surgery is performed to replace the damaged parts of the shoulder joint with prosthetic components (prostheses) in order to relieve pain and improve functionality. The goal of the surgery is to reduce pain, improve strength, restore range of motion, and enable better use of the shoulder and arm.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that is capable of a range of motion unmatched by any other joint in the body. It is composed of the clavicle (collar bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone), along with tendons, muscles, and ligaments that support and enable movement. The coordination between these components is key to the shoulder’s broad versatility in movement.

The clavicle connects with the shoulder blade at the acromioclavicular joint, linking the shoulder to the rib cage. The humerus, or upper arm bone, has a rounded head that fits snugly into the socket of the shoulder blade, forming the ball and socket structure of the joint, with cartilage covering the bone surfaces to ensure smooth movement. Muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder not only provide stability and mobility but also help control the wide range of motion, while the synovial membrane inside the joint produces fluid to lubricate the cartilage and reduce friction.

The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint and assist with its movement. When a rotator cuff tendon tears, it can result in significant pain, instability, and limited of function in the shoulder. Such tears are commonly caused by traumatic events such as a fall, particularly in elderly individuals, or injuries resulting from high-impact sports. The treatment options depend on the tear’s size, location, and the patient’s overall health, including physical therapy, cortisone injection, and, if those fail, surgery.

The type of shoulder replacement surgery depends on your specific condition. There are five types of shoulder replacement: hemiarthroplasty, resurfacing hemiarthroplasty, anatomic total shoulder replacement, stemless total shoulder arthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder replacement. Hemiarthroplasty involves replacing just the ball and stem of the joint, leaving the natural socket intact. Resurfacing hemiarthroplsty focuses only on capping the joint surface of the humeral head with a prosthetic cap, preserving the natural bone structure. Anatomic total shoulder replacement involves both the ball and socket being replaced with a polished metal ball attached to a stem on the humeral side and a plastic cup on the glenoid socket. Stemless total shoulder arthroplasty is a more bone-preserving option where the ball is attached directly to the humerus without using a stem. Reverse total shoulder replacement, used primarily in cases of severe rotator cuff injury, reverse the anatomy of the shoulder by placing the metal ball in the socket and the plastic cup on the upper arm bone, allowing for improved movement despite damaged rotator cuff muscles.

Shoulder replacement surgery is recommended for patients with severe shoulder pain and dysfunction caused by osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, avascular necrosis or rheumatoid arthritis. It is considered when conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, and injections have not provided relief, or if previous surgeries failed.

Eligible candidates often experience debilitating pain that interferes with everyday tasks like dressing or sleeping, along with a noticeable loss of motion and strength in the shoulder.

In shoulder replacement surgery, a metal ball, typically made of stainless steel, replaces the humeral ball. This ball is securely attached to a titanium stem, which anchors it into the upper arm bone (humerus). The glenoid socket, located in the shoulder blade, is replaced by a cup made of polyethylene, a durable plastic material. Shoulder replacement surgery is very effective in relieving shoulder pain.

The procedure is done under general anaesthesia and takes approximately 1 to 2 hours.

• Check the incision daily for increased swelling or drainage.
• Keep the dressing intact. When showering or bathing, let water trickle over it and gently pat it dry afterward.
• For the first six weeks post-surgery, refrain from placing your arm in extreme positions for example stretching straight out to the side or behind your back.
• Avoid playing contact sports or repetitive heavy lifting.
• Follow the specific precautions as advised by your healthcare provider.
• Full recovery may take 6 months to 1 year. Consistent effort is essential as progress may be slow and not always steady.

• Your arm may be placed in a sling for the first 24 hours after surgery to provide support.
• If the nerve block does not provide full relief, oral pain medications may be required to maintain comfort.
• A physical therapist will guide you on specific post-surgery restrictions and exercises.
• At Prospero medical, we remain in contact with our patients for 6 months up to one year after surgery, helping them through their recovery process. Any recovery-related concerns must be addressed directly with us to ensure the best outcome, rather than consulting other specialists.

Choosing the right clinic for an operation can be a daunting task, particularly with the flood of commercial advertisements and persuasive social media promotions. The challenge lies in cutting through the noise to identify a clinic that genuinely meets your needs. To navigate this process effectively, it’s essential to establish guiding criteria that prioritize quality, trustworthiness, and patient-centred care. The criteria can be identified and summarized as follows:

• Delivering honest and transparent medical advice, completely detached from any commercial motivations.
• Establishing a strong rapport with patients to empathize with their concerns and manage expectations genuinely.
• Maintaining an unwavering commitment to prioritizing the patient’s safety and overall well-being at every stage of care.

To achieve a realistic price estimation for treatment, the following factors should be taken into account:

• The professional standing of the clinic which reflects its reputation in the medical community.
• The nature and complexity of the surgical procedure.
• The surgeon’s qualifications, experience, and the level of expertise in performing the procedure, as well as the overall quality of the after-care services provided.
• Clear, impartial terms and conditions addressing clinical liabilities, ensuring they are documented in the appropriate legal framework for transparency and protection.

The cost of shoulder replacement surgery in Turkey can differ depending on various factors. Although affordability is often a compelling reason to seek surgery abroad, placing price above quality without ensuring the clinic meets the required standards could result in unfixable complications and greater costs over time. At Prospero medical, we are committed to maintaining transparency by clearly detailing every component of our services to help patients make well-informed choices. Our pricing reflects the quality of medical care, the qualifications of our surgeons, extensive industry experience, coupled with excellent aftercare services provided at our clinic in Turkey. We aim to deliver exceptional care at the most realistic and fair price possible.