Shoulder Replacement: Procedure and after care

Just like any other part of our body our shoulders are also very important. Any problem in the shoulder can affect your ability to freely move your arms and perform normal day to day activities. Such problems may rise due to many reasons and the best possible treatment for a shoulder-related problems is total shoulder replacement surgery. The most common amongst these problems is arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from these, injuries and fractures sustained in an accident may also be a reason for undergoing total shoulder replacement surgery.

Reports by various shoulder replacement surgeons in Delhi show that total shoulder replacement surgery is quite rare as compared to hip replacement surgery or knee replacement surgery. On consulting one of the best shoulder replacement surgeons in Delhi we came to know that most of the patients that opt for shoulder joint replacement in Delhi are sportspersons or athletes. The reason behind this is that sports persons and athletes constantly use their arms and shoulders which leads to a lot of strain on their shoulder joints.

If you feel any pain or discomfort in your shoulder or adjoining areas you need to consult your doctor for examination and he'll decide whether you are eligible to undergo the surgical process. Shoulder replacement surgeons and other medical experts, primarily try to overcome the problem with the use of medicines and physiotherapy however if these do not work then you need to undergo the surgical procedure.

Shoulder replacement surgery is a very simple procedure just like the knee replacement surgery. Our shoulders have ball-and-socket bones which are responsible for the movement of our arms. Before the surgical procedure the patient needs to undergo certain examinations and X-rays which make it easier for the doctor to reconstruct the prosthetics with greater accuracy. In a shoulder replacement surgery the damaged ball-and-socket bones are replaced by metal or plastic prosthetics. In case of total shoulder replacement surgery, the ball like structure at the top of the humerus is completely replaced with a metal ball which is attached on top of the remaining bone. The socket also gets covered by layer of plastic. Both are designed as such that they move freely just like the natural ball and socket joint of the patient.

 Before opting for the surgery it is very important to consult two or more doctors. You might also need to follow certain rules that are crucial for the success of the surgery. In case you are a chain smoker you need to quit on your habit of smoking as it might be a setback for your surgery. You even need to cut down on your intake of water. Exercising may also help to increase your stamina which in turn increases the success rate of the surgery. You also need to take proper care of your diet and eat healthy foods and avoid and healthy fats in carbs.

After the surgery the patient need to give complete rest to his arm unless the cast is removed. You might feel some pain and discomfort  at first but it gradually subsides with time. Lifting heavy objects and moving your arm vigorously. Doing so might be very painful and affect the success rate of the surgery. The patient needs to take extreme care of his diet and eat nutritious food as prescribed by the doctor. If the patient feels any pain or discomfort he should immediately bring it under the notice of a medical expert. Physiotherapy and exercises may help in the process of recovery and help you lead a Healthy lifestyle.