What is reverse total shoulder replacement, and how is it different from total shoulder replacement?
Reverse total shoulder replacement is a surgical treatment for severe shoulder arthritis or shoulder instability resulting from damage to the rotator cuff.
During a shoulder replacement, the old, damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with metal and plastic components. All of this work is performed through a four- to five-inch incision on the front of the shoulder.
The joint surfaces that are replaced include the:
- Humeral head (the ball)
- Glenoid (the socket)
A reverse total shoulder replacement is different from a traditional total shoulder replacement in that the position of the ball and socket in the joint are reversed. The ball is placed on the glenoid, and the socket is placed on the top of the upper arm bone (humerus). Reversing the joint like this enables the patient to control the shoulder with the strong deltoid muscle on top of the shoulder rather than the injured rotator cuff muscles.
Learn more about shoulder anatomy
Is reverse total shoulder replacement right for me?
Reverse total shoulder replacement may be recommended for patients who:
- Have had a failed total shoulder replacement
- Have a completely torn rotator cuff
- Have shoulder instability or shoulder dislocation as a result of rotator cuff damage
- Have rotator cuff arthropathy, a kind of arthritis that may happen after a rotator cuff injury
You may be a candidate if you have tried the following treatments without success:
- Physical therapy
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Cortisone injections
Additionally, if your pain is stopping you from doing daily activities and keeping you awake at night, you may also be a candidate for reverse total shoulder replacement surgery.
The decision to perform reverse total shoulder replacement surgery is based on pain and disability as well as your health and associated medical conditions.
Preparing for reverse total shoulder replacement surgery
Several steps need to be completed in the weeks before surgery:
- You must have a preoperative (pre-op) history and physical with your primary care provider within 30 days of surgery. The results should be faxed to the facility where your surgery is scheduled, and you should bring a physical copy of the original form with you to surgery.
- The hospital or surgery center at which you’re having your surgery will typically have a joint replacement education class that you’ll need to attend. You will learn about what to expect before, during, and after surgery. If you choose to have your procedure at one of Summit’s surgery centers, you will benefit from one-on-one joint replacement education with personalized information in an intimate setting.
- Stop using vitamin E three weeks before surgery.
- Prepare your house for your return after surgery. Simple things like cleaning up any clutter on the floor, clearing space to maneuver a walker, and placing a chair in your shower stall can all help decrease the risk of an accidental fall.
- Any dental procedures need to be completed at least one month in advance of your surgery. In dental procedures, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing infection and dramatically affecting your chances for a successful surgical outcome.
- Notify your specialist if you become ill with a cold, fever, congestion, etc., the week before surgery. We may need to reschedule your surgery.
The following will need to be done in the days before surgery:
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours prior to surgery.
- Do not take any acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or other pain medications after midnight the night before your surgery.
- If you are taking prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), Ticlid (ticlopidine), or Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate), among others, please inform your specialist’s patient care coordinator. These medications will need to be stopped before the procedure, but only after you receive permission from the physician who is prescribing these medications.
- A nurse from the hospital or surgery center will contact you 24 hours prior to surgery to tell you at what time your surgery is scheduled and to answer any questions you may have.
The day of your reverse total shoulder replacement surgery
Arrive at the hospital or surgery center two hours prior to your surgery. During this time, your nurses may run minor tests, check your blood pressure, and take your pulse. Your anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss the type of anesthesia you will receive.
For more information, please refer to the presurgery handout you received.
Antibiotics are administered prior to surgery to help protect against any potential infection. During this time, your family may remain with you until you are taken to surgery. A member of your specialist’s team will also come in and address any last-minute questions or concerns you might have.
What can I expect after reverse total shoulder replacement surgery?
Reverse total shoulder replacement surgeries can be performed either at a hospital or at the Vadnais Heights Surgery Center or Eagan Surgery Center.
- At first, you will be placed in a recovery room for several hours so that we can monitor you closely as the anesthesia wears off. During this time, your family will be notified that the surgery is complete and that you are in recovery.
- After the effects of the anesthesia have worn off and you are medically stable, you will be moved to a hospital or Care Suites room, and your family will be able to visit you.
- Most joint replacement patients go home the same day if they have their procedures done at a surgery center. Some patients choose to stay in the Care Suites overnight. If a patient chooses to have the surgery in the hospital, the patient generally goes home the next day.
- During your stay, you will participate in physical therapy several times a day.
Contact your specialist immediately if you develop a fever or chills, have pain that is not relieved by medication, have excessive unrelenting drainage or calf pain, or if you fall. Call 911 immediately if you experience any shortness of breath or develop chest pain.
Leaving the hospital or Care Suites
Before surgery, you and your physician will establish a plan for where you will be discharged after surgery and who will be caring for you. After you go home, you’ll come to our physical therapy facility twice a week for ongoing rehabilitation.
Your first follow-up visit
After surgery, your treatment team will want to see you in clinic. At this appointment, you can expect to have any remaining staples removed, have X-rays taken, and receive instructions and guidelines for the next four to six weeks. Your specialist will provide you with physical therapy orders and can write a referral to a physical therapy clinic if you need it.
How long will it take to recover from reverse total shoulder replacement?
The length of your recovery can vary, so talk with your orthopedic surgeon about the recovery plan for your specific situation.
Potential complications during and after reverse total shoulder replacement surgery
It is important to have realistic expectations about your reverse total shoulder replacement surgery. Although they are rare, there are potential complications with any surgery, and you are expected to have a reasonable understanding of the risks. Please refer to our preoperative informational handout for further information regarding potential complications and risks associated with surgery.
Every surgical procedure carries some risk. Talk with your doctor about potential risks and complications of shoulder surgery, such as:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots
- Blood loss
- Implant breakage or premature wear
- Continuing shoulder problems
- Complications associated with anesthesia
All treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary.
Our goal at Summit Orthopedics is to assist you in this regard and help you have the best experience possible as you transition into this new phase of your life. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your specialist’s team. They are available to help you and address any questions or concerns that you may have.
Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise
From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.
Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, Plymouth, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.
More resources for you:
- Visit our shoulder video library
- Take a look at Summit’s total shoulder replacement surgery overview
