The shoulder joint comprises of two components a ball and a socket. The upper portion of your upper arm has the ball and the place it joins with the shoulder has the socket which is medically termed as Glenoid.
Over the jointed area there is coverage of articular cartilage. This is a substance that is soft and smooth which enables protection of the bone thus making the movements easy. The remaining part of the joint is covered by a tissue that is called as synovial membrane. The Synovial membrane secretes a fluid that acts as a lubricant for elimination of friction in cartilage. The joint is further made stable and strong by the muscles and tendons. This is the entire configuration of the joint that allows you to freely move your arm and lets free rotation.
There are three common symptoms that let the doctor subject you for further tests that might lead you into Total shoulder replacement.
- Unbearable pain in the joint or shoulder even during your normal day-day activity.
- Pain arising even while you are in a normal resting position
- Loss of active movement in shoulders.
The causes for such occurrences are listed below:
- Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease): This is mostly prevalent with patients who are aged above 50
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Thickening and solidification of the synovial membrane
- Post-traumatic Arthritis: After effects of shoulder injuries that are very serious
- Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Tear in the rotating cuff
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Disrupted blood flow to the joints
- Severe Fractures
- Failed Previous Shoulder Replacement Surgery
When after tests and discussion with your doctor and orthopaedic surgeon, it is decided to go for Total Shoulder Replacement. In this procedure an artificially made prosthesis is used to replace the parts that are damaged. Either the ball in the upper arm or the socket in the shoulder is replaced depending upon the condition diagnosed.
