Shoulder Replacement

Palm Beach Health Network offers shoulder and reverse shoulder replacement surgery in Palm Beach County, FL for patients with shoulder pain, arthritis, fractures, rotator cuff-related joint damage or limited mobility. Orthopedic physicians evaluate your symptoms, imaging results and treatment history to determine whether surgery may be appropriate. 

Find a Location

Find a Doctor

Doctor performing a back assessment

When Shoulder Replacement May Be Recommended

Shoulder replacement may be considered when pain and limited motion do not improve enough with nonsurgical care. Treatment often begins with pain management, physical therapy, rehabilitation and other conservative options before surgery is discussed. Patients may be evaluated for shoulder replacement if they have:

  • Shoulder arthritis
  • Severe shoulder pain
  • Shoulder fracture
  • Joint damage after injury
  • Rotator cuff-related joint damage
  • Loss of motion or weakness
  • Pain that limits sleep or daily activities

If surgery is needed, your orthopedic physician will explain which procedure may fit your diagnosis and recovery goals.

What Shoulder Replacement Surgery Does

Shoulder joint replacement removes damaged parts of the shoulder and replaces them with artificial components. Depending on the condition of the joint, surgery may replace the ball of the upper arm bone, the socket or both.

Shoulder replacement may help reduce pain and improve function when joint damage makes daily movement difficult. Your orthopedic doctor will recommend an approach based on your shoulder anatomy, bone quality and overall health.

When Shoulder Replacement May Be Recommended

Shoulder replacement may be considered when pain and limited motion do not improve enough with nonsurgical care. Treatment often begins with pain management, physical therapy, rehabilitation and other conservative options before surgery is discussed. Patients may be evaluated for shoulder replacement if they have:

  • Shoulder arthritis
  • Severe shoulder pain
  • Shoulder fracture
  • Joint damage after injury
  • Rotator cuff-related joint damage
  • Loss of motion or weakness
  • Pain that limits sleep or daily activities

If surgery is needed, your orthopedic physician will explain which procedure may fit your diagnosis and recovery goals.

Illustration of a shoulder joint replacement implant

What Shoulder Replacement Surgery Does

Shoulder joint replacement removes damaged parts of the shoulder and replaces them with artificial components. Depending on the condition of the joint, surgery may replace the ball of the upper arm bone, the socket or both.

Shoulder replacement may help reduce pain and improve function when joint damage makes daily movement difficult. Your orthopedic doctor will recommend an approach based on your shoulder anatomy, bone quality and overall health.

What Is Reverse Shoulder Replacement?

Reverse total shoulder replacement changes the position of the ball and socket components. This design may help certain patients use the deltoid muscle instead of the damaged rotator cuff to lift and move the arm.

Reverse shoulder replacement may be considered for patients with severe rotator cuff damage, cuff tear arthropathy, complex fractures or a previous shoulder replacement that did not work as expected.

What to Expect After Shoulder Replacement

Recovery depends on the procedure, your health and your rehabilitation plan. Some patients may go home the same day. Others may need a short hospital stay. Before you leave the hospital, your care team will give instructions for:

  • Pain control
  • Sling use
  • Incision care
  • Safe arm movement
  • Physical therapy
  • Follow-up visits
  • Activity limits during healing

Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery. Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility and shoulder function as you heal.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Recovery Support

Palm Beach Health Network provides orthopedic rehabilitation to support recovery after shoulder injuries and surgery. Your care team may guide you through exercises, movement precautions and activity changes based on your procedure. The goal is to help you regain safe movement while protecting the healing shoulder.

Is Shoulder Replacement Right for Me?

Shoulder replacement is decided case by case. Your orthopedic physician will review your symptoms, imaging results, previous treatments and health history before recommending a care plan. If shoulder pain or weakness is limiting your daily life, an orthopedic evaluation can help you understand your options.

Request an Orthopedic Referral    Take Shoulder Pain Assessment

 

Before a shoulder replacement consultation, gather details about your pain, medical history, medications and past treatments. Your orthopedic doctor may ask how shoulder pain affects sleep, reaching, dressing and daily activities. Imaging may also be reviewed to help guide your care plan. 

Ask your orthopedic doctor which procedure is being considered, why it fits your condition and what recovery may involve. You may also want to ask about possible risks, sling use, physical therapy, activity limits and how your health history could affect healing. 

Call your doctor after shoulder replacement if you have fever, worsening pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe swelling, new weakness, drainage from the incision or numbness that concerns you. Your discharge instructions will include specific warning signs and contact information. 

Your doctor may ask you to avoid lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching behind your body or placing the arm in extreme positions while the shoulder heals. Your care team will explain movement precautions based on your procedure and rehabilitation plan. 

Orthopedic Services

Continue