Shoulder Replacement
-
- Tweet
Phoenix Orthopedic Group
Robert A. Mileski, MD
Sports Medicine Doctor & Orthopedic Surgeon located in Scottsdale, AZ
If you have a severe shoulder injury from playing sports, arthritis, or degenerative wear and tear, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Robert Mileski, MD, and his staff can help at Phoenix Orthopedic Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. With over 20 years of orthopedic surgery experience, he offers total shoulder replacements and reverse shoulder replacements. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Phoenix Medical Group today by phone or online.
Shoulder Replacement Q & A
Every year about 53,000 Americans undergoes shoulder replacement surgery to restore function and relieve pain after an injury or significant wear and tear. During a shoulder replacement, Dr. Mileski replaces damaged parts of your shoulder joint with artificial components.
Traditional shoulder replacement
Dr. Mileski replaces the head of your upper arm bone, or humerus, with a precision-manufactured metal ball and attaches an artificial socket to your shoulder blade during traditional shoulder replacement surgery.
Reverse shoulder replacement
In a reverse shoulder replacement, the artificial socket and metal ball are switched. Dr. Mileski attaches a metal ball to your shoulder blade and a plastic socket to the top of your upper arm bone.
Am I a good candidate for a shoulder replacement?
Dr. Mileski and his team determine if you’re a good candidate for a shoulder replacement based on the type and severity of your injury as well as your general health. Shoulder replacement surgery might be for you if you have:
- Moderate or severe shoulder pain
- Shoulder weakness or loss of motion
- Chronic shoulder dislocation
- Severe arthritis
- Irreparable rotator cuff tear
- Failing previous shoulder replacement
- Complex fracture of your shoulder joint
- Shoulder joint tumor
If you’ve tried less invasive treatments, like cortisone injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or physical therapy without success, you might be a good candidate for a total or partial shoulder replacement.
What should I expect during surgery?
Phoenix Orthopedic Group strives to make your experience comfortable, the procedure understandable, and the outcome successful.
After hospital admission, you meet with an anesthesiologist. You might be given general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or a combination of both to minimize pain.
During surgery, Dr. Mileski replaces all or part of your shoulder joint with artificial components. The procedure might take about two hours to complete. Afterward, you head to a recovery room until you’re fully awake and move to a hospital room. You might go home 1-3 days after surgery and wear a sling for 2-4 weeks. You aren’t able to drive during this time.
Dr. Mileski gives you at-home care instructions, which include tending to your incisions and taking antibiotics and medications to manage pain. You attend follow-up visits with Dr. Mileski to monitor your recovery and regular physical therapy sessions to regain your strength.
If you think you might need shoulder replacement surgery, call Phoenix Orthopedic Group today or schedule an appointment online.
