Why Is Reverse Shoulder Replacement Preferred Over Standard Shoulder Replacement?

by Niraj Jayaswal Content Writer

Article

A standard shoulder replacement surgery is not considered as good as it mostly depends upon the muscles and joints around the shoulder to stay intact as it is only when these muscles and tendons, which are called rotator cuff, are in a good condition, does the shoulder move properly. When the rotator cuff does not function properly because of the tendons and muscles being torn, the shoulder is also not able to move properly and the loss of rotator cuff does not only mean the loss of movement, but also excessive pain and discomfort. So, if the rotator cuff does not function properly and the muscles and tendons are torn, the shoulder will also not be able to perform eloquently and smoothly and will cause unbearable pain and the movement will also take a toll on the person. However, if one gets a reverse shoulder replacement all these issues will not arise as a normal shoulder replacement is supposed to work only if tendons and muscles are not damaged, whereas reverse shoulder replacement can work even if the rotator cuff has been torn or has been malfunctioning.

A patient might need a reverse shoulder replacement if he or she has arthritis and their rotator cuff has been torn or malfunctioning as reverse shoulder replacement will not only help him or her by relieving the pain but also enhance the range of motion of the shoulder, although it will not be completely normal motion, yet it will be better than the motion that was limited because of pain and arthritis.

A patient might also need a reverse shoulder replacement if all of his or her tendons are torn and he or she is not able to lift his or her shoulders. In this kind of situation, it is not necessary that the patient is experiencing a lot of pain, the main problem here is that related to motion and it can be easily fixed by a reverse shoulder replacement which helps the patient to gain movement back.

Another reason to have a reverse shoulder replacement surgery is that the patient has already had shoulder surgery and is still not able to move his shoulder properly without causing pain and there has been a lack of motion. If the shoulder continues to be painful after a regular shoulder replacement surgery, then the patient should go for the reverse shoulder surgery as it will not only help with the movement but also with the pain. There are a few more reasons to have a reverse shoulder replacement and they are if the patient has suffered a fracture or broken bone in the way that it has torn into various parts or if there is a tumour nearby, a reverse shoulder replacement is required.

The reverse shoulder replacement surgery experience is not much different than the normal shoulder replacement surgery. The reverse shoulder replacement surgery is very good at relieving pain and also helps with regaining the movement of the shoulder. But it has been observed that although the pain relief that the surgery provides is excellent, the movement that the person regains is not as much at par with the pain relief.

Just like any other joint replacement surgery, there are certain risks and complications associated with reverse shoulder replacement surgery as well, which means that it is not at all riskier than other normal joint replacement surgeries and therefore there is no need to be worried about it.

One should not opt for this surgery if the socket ball of the patient is too far to allow the component base plate to be fixed with screws to the bone, but in some cases, bone grafts can be added at the time of surgery. Adding bone grafts make it possible to add screws as well as the base plate. Patients that have an ongoing infection in the shoulder are also not supposed to undergo the treatment, but if the infection can be cleared up, then it can be clearly performed. Also, the surgery is to be followed up by certain guidelines set by your surgeon.

Conclusion

Elbow replacement surgery in India is available at all the leading hospitals. One can easily find the best arthroscopy hospitals in India. Elbow replacement surgeons in India are well efficient and have a lot of experience. One can get the best reverse shoulder replacement in India. Also, India is the best place to get partial as well as total shoulder replacement. A lot of foreign patients also prefer to get the surgery done from India.