Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

The shoulder is a large ball-and-socket joint made up of the humerus (upper arm bone) and a shallow socket called the glenoid fossa that is surrounded by a ring of cartilage called the labrum. Osteoarthritis, traumatic injuries, and overuse can cause the labrum to wear down, leading to pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion. If your shoulder is severely damaged, and you are a qualifying patient, the specialized orthopedic surgeon at the Shoulder Institute at ORTHOKnox will recommend a reverse total shoulder replacement. Similar to traditional shoulder replacement, your surgeon will recommend the type of shoulder replacement you need based on their diagnosis of severity of damage within the shoulder joint.

Reverse shoulder replacement may be recommended if you have:

• A torn rotator cuff that can’t be repaired
• Osteoarthritis with rotator cuff damage
• Prior failed shoulder surgery

With reverse shoulder replacement, the position of the ball and socket in the joint are switched, which allows the deltoid muscle, instead of the damaged rotator cuff muscles, to raise the arm. With both types of shoulder replacement surgery, Dr. Hovis will precisely place the artificial joint implant for the best fit and smoothest motion.