What is a total shoulder replacement?

Total shoulder replacements are used to replace the shoulder damaged by arthritis.

Arthritis causes a wearing of the cartilage over the ball and socket of the joint making the bones rub together on movement which causes pain, clicking and a gradual reduction in range of movement. An operation is indicated when the pain affects normal daily living including sleep pattern.

The ball is removed from the humerus bone and is replaced with a metal one which has a stem down into the bone in the upper arm. A plastic cup is secured into the socket to accept the metal ball. Alternatively, the ball may be resurfaced with an EPOCA replacement.

Skip straight to exercises after surgery.

Skip straight to frequently asked questions.

 

What happens after surgery?

You will normally be admitted to the ward on the day of surgery and remain in hospital for 1 day.

Your arm will be supported in a sling which you can remove to wash /dress and do your exercises 3-4 times a day. When you return to clinic for removal of the stitches you will be advised how long you need to retain the sling.

Before leaving the ward, you will have a check X-ray.

 

Ward physiotherapy

You will be seen by a physiotherapist on the ward who will show you some gentle exercises to do while at home before you start formal physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist will also provide instruction on how to remove and put on the sling.

Your physiotherapist will advise you of the exercise progression when you attend your outpatient physiotherapy appointment.

If you have any problems on discharge, please contact the ward physiotherapists.

Telephone Neath Port Talbot Hospital on 01639 862652.

 

Shoulder precautions

It is important not to overdo things in the first couple of weeks to recover from the surgery. 
You MUST NOT try and put your hand behind your back or rotate your forearm too far away from your stomach when out of your sling.

 

Exercises after your surgery

The physiotherapist will encourage you to complete the following exercises after your surgery. 

These exercises should be done from day one until full recovery. 

Do exercises 3-4 times a day.

 

• Stand leaning on a table or chair with one hand. Let your other arm hang relaxed straight down. Swing your arm as if drawing a circle on the floor. Change direction. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are standing up and facing a chair. There is a gap between their feet and the chair. They are leaning forward with their left hand firmly on the arm of the chair. Their right arm is hanging straight down.

 

 

 

 

 

• Stand or sit. (Can be done in and out of the sling.) Move your shoulder blades gently back and down (small movement). Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up straight with their shoulders gently moved back and down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Stand. Bend your elbow and then straighten your elbow. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up, with their right arm bent at the elbow and their forearm pointing upwards with the palm of their hand facing towards their shoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Stand or sit. Lift your operated arm up and away from your chest using your other arm as far as comfort allows. DO NOT RAISE PAST SHOULDER HEIGHT AND KEEP YOUR OPERATED ARM TOTALLY RELAXED. Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. Both arms are at chest height with the forearms across the body pointing towards each other. The left hand is supporting the elbow of the right arm. The right hand is resting on the left arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Move your wrist back and forth (Can be done in and out of the sling.) Repeat 10 times. Image shows a physiotherapist demonstrating the exercise. They are stood up. Their right hand is turned outwards from the wrist.