Shoulder Replacement Surgery

About Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure that removes damaged parts of the shoulder joint and replaces them with smooth, durable implants.

It is most often used to treat:

• Advanced shoulder arthritis
• Severe joint damage from injury
• Chronic pain that limits daily activity
• Stiffness that affects sleep and independence

In a healthy shoulder, cartilage allows the joint to move smoothly. When cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone. This causes:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Grinding or catching
• Loss of motion

Total shoulder replacement restores smoother movement by replacing the worn surfaces of the joint.

Types of Total Shoulder Replacement

There are two main types of total shoulder replacement. The right option depends on the condition of your shoulder muscles and joint.

Anatomic Total Shoulder Replacement

This approach is designed to match your natural shoulder anatomy.

Best for patients who have:

• Shoulder arthritis
• An intact, healthy rotator cuff

How it works:

• The damaged ball of the shoulder is replaced with a metal ball
• The worn socket is replaced with a smooth plastic surface
• The joint keeps its natural structure

This option allows the shoulder to move in a way that closely mirrors normal anatomy.

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

In this approach, the ball and socket positions are switched.

Best for patients who have:

• Severe rotator cuff damage
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
• Complex fractures or prior failed surgery

How it works:

• The ball is attached to the shoulder blade
• The socket is placed at the top of the arm bone
• Other muscles help power the shoulder when the rotator cuff cannot

Reverse total shoulder replacement can improve stability and allow patients to lift their arm again—even when the rotator cuff is no longer functional.

Your Evaluation and Treatment Plan

Shoulder pain can have many causes. The right treatment depends on the condition of your joint, muscles and overall health.

When you meet with a shoulder specialist, your visit begins with a thorough evaluation. This includes:

• A detailed discussion of your symptoms
• Review of imaging, such as X-rays or MRI
• Assessment of rotator cuff strength and joint stability
• Conversation about your daily activities and goals

For many patients, treatment begins with non-surgical options. These may include:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Image-guided joint injections
• Activity modifications

These approaches can reduce pain and improve movement for some patients.

When Shoulder Replacement May Be Recommended

Total shoulder replacement may be considered when:

• Arthritis has significantly damaged the joint
• Pain persists despite conservative treatment
• Shoulder weakness or stiffness limits daily function
• Rotator cuff damage affects stability

Some patients come to us after another specialist has suggested shoulder replacement. Others are exploring their options for the first time. In either case, the goal is the same: to determine whether anatomic or reverse total shoulder replacement is the most appropriate path forward.

At UC Health, our orthopaedic surgeons specialize in both surgical and non-surgical shoulder care. Treatment decisions are guided by research, clinical experience, and what matters most to you.

Benefits of Shoulder Replacement

For many people, non-surgical treatments reduce pain for a period of time. But when arthritis has severely damaged the joint, those options may no longer provide lasting relief.

Compared to ongoing injections or temporary symptom management, total shoulder replacement can offer:

• More consistent, long-term pain relief
• Improved range of motion
• Better sleep without shoulder pain
• Greater strength and stability
• Return to daily activities and hobbies

While physical therapy and injections can help manage symptoms, shoulder replacement addresses the damaged joint surfaces directly.

For patients with advanced arthritis or significant rotator cuff damage, this can mean moving from short-term relief to meaningful, lasting improvement in quality of life.

Minimally Invasive & Bone-Sparing Techniques

When appropriate, our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches designed to reduce disruption to healthy tissue.

This may include:

• Smaller, strategically placed incisions
• Muscle-sparing techniques when possible
• Preserving as much healthy bone as possible
• Advanced implant positioning for long-term stability

Bone preservation is especially important for:

• Younger or more active patients
• Patients who may require future revision surgery
• Protecting long-term joint function

Not every patient is a candidate for a minimally invasive approach. Your surgeon will recommend the technique that provides the safest and most durable result.

What to Expect with Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement is carefully planned and precisely performed. Understanding both the surgical process and your recovery experience can help you feel prepared.

Before surgery, your surgeon uses detailed imaging and digital planning tools to determine:

• The appropriate implant size
• The type of replacement (anatomic or reverse)
• Optimal positioning and alignment
• Strategies to preserve healthy bone

During the procedure:

• Damaged cartilage and bone are carefully removed
• The joint surfaces are reshaped to fit the selected implant
• Modular implant components are secured into place
• The shoulder is tested for stability, balance and smooth motion

Proper alignment and soft tissue balancing are critical to long-term function and durability.

The procedure typically takes a few hours, depending on complexity.

Shoulder implants are available in a range of sizes and designs. Before surgery, your surgeon carefully plans the procedure using imaging and digital tools to select the implant that best fits your anatomy. This personalized planning helps support stability, comfort and long-term function.

Your Surgical Experience

Anesthesia

• Shoulder replacement is performed under regional or general anesthesia
• Patients will receive a nerve block to help control pain after surgery
• You will not feel pain during the procedure

Your anesthesia team will review your medical history and discuss the safest option for you.

Hospital Stay

Shoulder replacement may be:

• An outpatient procedure for some patients
• An overnight hospital stay for others

The decision depends on:

• Your overall health
• The complexity of your surgery
• Your support system at home

Most patients go home within 24 hours.

Immediately After Surgery

• Your arm will be placed in a sling
• Pain is managed with medication and, when used, a nerve block
• Gentle movement may begin early under guidance

You will receive detailed instructions before going home.

Recovery at Home

• A sling is typically worn for two to four weeks
• Physical therapy begins soon after surgery
• Daily activities are gradually reintroduced
• Full recovery may take several months

Many patients notice meaningful pain relief within weeks, with continued improvement over time.

Recovery varies based on:

• Anatomic vs. reverse replacement
• Rotator cuff condition
• Overall health and activity level

Similar Treatments

Not every shoulder condition requires joint replacement. Depending on the cause of your pain, other treatments may be recommended.

Non-Surgical Options

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Image-guided corticosteroid injections
• Activity modification

These approaches may reduce pain and improve movement, especially in earlier stages of arthritis.

Surgical Alternatives

• Shoulder arthroscopy: Minimally invasive procedure to address certain joint or soft tissue problems
• Rotator cuff repair: Repairs torn shoulder tendons
• Shoulder resurfacing – Replaces part of the joint rather than the entire surface

If joint damage is advanced, these procedures may not provide lasting relief. In those cases, total shoulder replacement may offer a more durable solution.

Why Choose UC Health for Shoulder Replacement in Cincinnati Greater Cincinnati

Choosing shoulder replacement is an important decision. Experience, precision, and long-term outcomes matter.

At UC Health, shoulder replacement is performed by orthopaedic specialists with advanced training in both anatomic and reverse total shoulder replacement. Our team combines:

• Expertise in complex shoulder reconstruction
• Careful pre-surgical planning using advanced imaging and digital tools
• Experience with minimally invasive and bone-sparing techniques when appropriate
• Research-informed decision-making supported by peer-reviewed publications
• Coordinated rehabilitation to support recovery and long-term function

We care for patients across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana, including those seeking second opinions for complex shoulder conditions.

If shoulder pain limits your sleep, movement or independence, you don’t have to manage it alone.