Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Todd Pitts, MD, Lehi, Utah

Todd Pitts, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee surgeries. Dr. Pitts is trained in hip and knee joint replacements and restoration. He practices in Lehi and Provo Utah.

hip, knee, todd pitts md, hip replacement, knee replacement, lehi utah,

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Shoulder Replacement

shoulder replacement

Orthopaedic surgeon Todd Pitts, M.D., Abilene, Texas

Shoulder pain is more common the older we get. The majority of these aches and pains are usually associated with soft tissue (muscle, tendon etc…) causes of pain. When arthritis or joint dysfunction is the cause, and after all nonoperative methods have been attempted, the shoulder joint can be replaced to improve function and reduce pain; get you back to your activities without limitations.

Shoulder Joint Replacement

Although shoulder joint replacement is less common than knee or hip replacement, it is just as successful in relieving joint pain.

Shoulder replacement surgery was first performed in the United States in the 1950s to treat severe shoulder fractures. Over the years, shoulder joint replacement has come to be used for many other painful conditions of the shoulder, such as different forms of arthritis.

Today, about 53,000 people in the U.S. have shoulder replacement surgery each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This compares to more than 900,000 Americans a year who have knee and hip replacement surgery.

If nonsurgical treatments like medications and activity changes are no longer helpful for relieving pain, you may want to consider shoulder joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain and help you resume everyday activities.

Whether you have just begun exploring treatment options or have already decided to have shoulder joint replacement surgery, this article will help you understand more about this valuable procedure.

Anatomy

Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint: The ball, or head, of your upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in your shoulder blade. This socket is called the glenoid.

The surfaces of the bones where they touch are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth substance that protects the bones and enables them to move easily. A thin, smooth tissue called synovial membrane covers all remaining surfaces inside the shoulder joint. In a healthy shoulder, this membrane makes a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage and eliminates almost any friction in your shoulder.

The muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder provide stability and support.

All of these structures allow the shoulder to rotate through a greater range of motion than any other joint in the body.