What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis , Why Does It Occur?

Arthrosis/calcification in the shoulder joint is the condition in which the working performance of the shoulder is lost as a result of the erosion of the cartilage tissue that prevents the rubbing of the bone structures forming the joint, and the decrease in joint fluid and the upward dislocation of the shoulder joint. Severe pain in patients with shoulder calcification causes severe limitation of movement as much as it cannot meet their human needs.

Aging, rheumatic diseases, joint rheumatism, untreated rotator cuff tears, neglected shoulder dislocations, accidents and falls can cause shoulder calcification.

Shoulder calcification following rotator cuff injury causes tissue destruction up to the replacement of the joint with a prosthesis. The reverse shoulder prosthesis is the type of shoulder prosthesis used in this situation.  

Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis in the Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis

When the rotator cuff is excessively worn by calcification, it becomes difficult to raise the arm. For this reason, reverse shoulder prosthesis is preferred in shoulder calcification because it reverses the working principle of the shoulder joint, and the deltoid muscle performs the work of the rotator cuff. 

What is Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis?

It is a prosthesis application that reverses the natural design of the shoulder joint. The prosthesis, the glenosphere, which is placed in the joint slot where the round head of the humerus sits, transforms the normally inward slot into an outward metal ball head. The other piece, which is implanted at the end of the humerus, is made of polymer and the previously outward bone head replaces the joint socket.

How is Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis Surgery Performed?

Reverse shoulder prosthesis is performed under general anesthesia by open surgery method with a 10cm insicion. After cleaning the deformed cartilage tissue and the cartilage and bone fragments scattered in the joint, the bones are cut to place the prosthesis.

A metal ball-headed glenosphere is implanted on the side of the shoulder blade, where the joint slot is located, and a plastic structure on which this spinning top will be fixed at the end of the arm bone, and the shoulder is closed after the surrounding tissues are repaired.

After Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery

The operation takes about 2 hours on average and the patient is kept in the hospital for at least 1 night under observation. Painkillers and antibiotic use start in the hospital and continue for another week at home.

Strengthening the shoulder muscles and adaptation to the joint is an important part of the treatment after the reverse shoulder prosthesis. With this surgery, the patient can return to 90% of his daily activities normally and painlessly.