In the shoulder joint, the ball-like top of the upper arm bone fits inside the socket of the shoulder blade and is held in place by the rotator cuff. This gives the shoulder joint an incredible range of motion, but comes with a cost – it also makes the joint easily prone to injury.

Depending on your job, repetitive overhand motions can harm the shoulder. Depending on the type of damage in the shoulder, the patient may be advised a shoulder replacement or a reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

Traditional and Reverse Shoulder Surgery

The primary difference between these two types of shoulder surgery is that the ball and socket are reversed in the reverse shoulder replacement surgery. In other words, the ball and socket switch sides.

In the reverse shoulder replacement surgery, the head of the top of the upper arm bone or humerus is replaced with a prosthetic, but the socket is attached to the top of the arm bone and the ball is attached to the shoulder blade. This allows stability in the joint.

Traditional Shoulder Surgery

A standard total shoulder replacement surgery can be done only if the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint are fully intact. The muscles should be attached to the shoulder blade, via the tendons.

These muscles and their tendons together make up the rotator cuff. A traditional shoulder replacement surgery can work if those tendons are intact and functioning. Otherwise, your shoulder surgeon may recommend reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

Benefits of Reverse Shoulder Replacement

When a person’s shoulder ligament or tendon is extensively torn, it may no longer remain attached to the bones through the rotator cuff. This can cause severe pain, greatly limiting the shoulder’s range of motion.

A reverse prosthesis is planted on the socket side of the joint, which holds it into the bone of the clavicle and the ball is attached to support the socket. The metal prosthetic stem is placed and secured into the humerus. Then the plastic socket piece is fit at the end of the stem and secured.

If you have an older prosthetic implant in your shoulder that was done 10 to 20 years ago and requires a revision surgery, a reverse shoulder replacement has shown to be a better option. Another reason a patient may be advised reverse shoulder replacement surgery is if the rotator cuff is greatly damaged and cannot be repaired.

To learn more about surgical shoulder treatments, consult one of the best shoulder surgeons in Phoenix AZ, call Phoenix Shoulder and Knee at 480-219-3342. Dr. Adam Farber is a Fellowship Trained, Board Certified Phoenix and Scottsdale orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine.