Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Cost, Risk, Recovery & Surgeons

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

When the shoulder of a person is damaged due to end-stage arthritis or a fracture, a shoulder replacement surgery is recommended. This alleviates the affected person from pain and motion stiffness.

Today, we at MyMedTrip.com shall discuss with you the shoulder functions, conditions of a damaged shoulder,  and shoulder replacement costs in India. We will also share details on shoulder replacement protocols

India is the only South Asian country with advanced medical facilities and internationally renowned doctors. Its multi-speciality hospitals, most of which are accredited either nationally (by the NABL or NABH) or internationally (JCI), have modern methods of treatment, at par with global standards of healthcare. This increases the success rate of shoulder replacement surgeries in India.

What is covered in the above mentioned cost for surgery?

This price includes shoulder replacement surgery cost in India, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.

About the human shoulder

Our shoulder comprises bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Together these form the shoulder joint which is a ball-in-the-socket joint and is very similar to the hip joint. This joint is located in the place where our upper arm connects to the body.

This upper arm bone, also known as humerus, is rounded at the end and connected to a socket-like structure called the scapula.

Surrounding this is a cartilage around the socket to provide support. While ligaments connect the bones of the shoulder, tendons join these to the surrounding muscles.

Common types of shoulder injuries

There are various reasons why someone could experience shoulder injury. Some of the common ones are mentioned below.

• Osteoarthritis

This is caused by the damage due to “wear and tear” of the cartilage. As a result of the worn out cartilage, the bones rub against each other and cause extreme pain. It is a degenerative bone disease affecting people over 50 years and has no cure.

However, it also affects younger people, especially those whose shoulders are extremely active. A few examples would be tennis players and heavy weight lifters.

• Inflammatory arthritis

This is an umbrella term for a group of autoimmune diseases that have no cause. Autoimmune diseases are diseases that result when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues instead of foreign elements.

Although there is no cause for why this happens, it results in inflammation caused at the joints. In the case of shoulder area joints, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing Spondylitis are common examples.

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, a membrane called synovial surrounds the joints and gets thickened. Inflammation is caused as a result.

In the case of ankylosing spondylitis, the spine is affected and the joints as a result are affected. Here, the joints wear out and the bones fuse. The causes of this are unknown but it is very important to get an early diagnosis.

In both cases, shoulder replacement may help in reducing pain and increasing joint function.

• Tearing of the rotator cuff

The rotator cuff comprises tendons and muscle which covers the humerus. When the rotator cuff is torn due to extreme shoulder activity on excessive weight, the cartilage begins to get destroyed.

Initially the doctor may resort to nonsurgical methods such as rest, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. But if the tear is severe, then replacement surgery is the last resort.

• Fracture

Fractures of the shoulder joint can occur at three different places. They are fractures of the collar bone, the shoulder blade, and the humerus. The first two can be treated non-surgically and do not require a shoulder replacement. However,  in the case of a severe  humerus fracture, shoulder replacement becomes mandatory.

Eligible candidates for shoulder replacement

For all of the aforementioned conditions, the doctor will first try some non-surgical treatment method which involves medicines, rest, and physiotherapy. If all of these fail, then the doctor may resort to a replacement surgery. This is mainly to address:-

• Shoulder pain which is severe and interferes with one’s daily activities.
• Shoulder pain even during resting hours.
• Weakness in the shoulder.
• Loss of motion of the shoulder.

After  assessing the situation, the doctor will recommend certain tests such as an X-ray, a physical exam, and an MRI. Medical history of the patient will also be assessed in terms of his/her response to prior treatments. Following this, the doctor will present the possible treatments alongside recommending a shoulder replacement surgery.

Types of shoulder replacement surgery

A shoulder joint replacement surgery is of four kinds:-

1. Total shoulder replacement surgery

A total shoulder replacement surgery involves replacing the entire ball and the socket with implants. These implants may either be cemented or uncemented into the area.

When it is uncemented, it is expected that the bones will grow into the implants during recovery time.

But if the bone is too soft, then the implant is cemented into the bone. This is mostly done in patients who are experiencing end-stage arthritis where one bone has attached itself with the other, but the rotator cuffs are intact.

2. Partial shoulder replacement surgery 

Partial shoulder replacement surgery is also called a stemmed hemiarthroplasty. This surgery is preferred in cases where the humerus head is severely fractured and/or the rotator cuff is torn. Here the cartilage is intact. In this, usually the head of the humerus is replaced with a metal ball and stem.

3. Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty 

A resurfacing hemiarthroplasty involves resurfacing just the head of the humerus without the stem. In other words, the doctor inserts a just cap-like implant in the humerus. This is recommended only if there is no damage to the humerus or the cartilage.

4. Reverse total shoulder replacement 

Reverse total shoulder replacement surgery is conducted on people whose rotator cuff is completely torn and on whom a replacement surgery has failed. In this case, the prosthetic ball and the socket are not attached to each other.

Instead they are attached to the shoulder bone and the upper arm bone, respectively. This prevents the complete need to use the torn rotator cuff.

Surgical procedure of shoulder replacement

After discussing the possible risk with the specialist and the surgeon, the person is required to sign a form of consent. Then only can the surgery convene.

At first, a general or a regional anaesthesia is given. The kind of anaesthesia to be given will be determined by the doctor as per the patient’s condition. Following this the surgery starts.

An incision is made near the affected area in a nerve-free zone to minimize nerve injury. One of the rotator cuff muscles is cut to make the damaged part accessible to the surgeon.

The surgeon then carefully removes the arthritic or fractured bones and inserts the implants which comprises a socket, and/or a ball, and/or the stem, all depending on the kind of surgery.

Following this, the rotator cuff muscles are stitched back together and the incision on the skin is cleaned and sealed by band-aids.

It takes approximately two hours for the surgery. However a lot of factors may weigh in and make the process longer.

Recovery after shoulder replacement surgery

The person after the surgery will be able to use the wrists and the hand. An arm sling is provided to safely secure the new implants.

In about six weeks, the entire arm can be used for some light activity. Eight weeks will allow the person to use the arm and shoulder in an unrestricted manner. In three months time, the person begins to get comfortable with the new joint but it may take up to a year for a complete pain-free recovery.

Additionally, while two-three weeks are required before one can go back to desk work, a total of four-five months will be required to return to daily physical laborious activities. It is to be kept in mind that the recovery time period can vary from person to person. One must keep consulting the doctor and physiotherapist for a complete hassle free recovery.

More detailed information on shoulder replacement surgery’s rehabilitation protocol may be found here.

Tips for healthy shoulder joints

According to Dr. Chandra Sekhar of Hyderabad Shoulder Clinic, the importance of our shoulders are hugely ignored by the people. It is responsible for performing life’s daily activities as common as reaching out for something.

He advises that one should take good care of this integral joint. Furthermore, he gives certain tips on how to keep a healthy shoulder joint. They include:-

• Regular movement of the shoulder- Exercises are greatly responsible for reducing joint pain because it reduces stiffness. Movements of the shoulder will  fuel the shoulder’s capacity and strengthen surrounding muscles and tissues, thereby further protecting the joint from wear and tear.
• Maintain the right weight- Obesity is the reason behind many ailments and a joint problem is one of them. Due to the heavy weight, the joints are overburdened and this creates tension in the joints. Maintaining a healthy weight within the suggested range will help avoid such conditions.
• Exercises that have little effect on the joint- Strengthening and stretching exercises make the shoulder muscles and tendons stronger and flexible. These put little pressure on the joints but benefit the joints to a great extent.

Application of too much pressure on the joint is never advisable.

• Eating healthy- Eating unhealthy is the key to all health related issues. Therefore, in case of bone ailments, food rich in anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial. It is also very important for the bones to get vitamin D and calcium.  Lack of them decreases bone density and increases the chances of bone fracture.
• Quit smoking- Smoking tobacco is directly related to many bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is the major cause of lower back pain and enhances the chances of fracture by making the bones flaky.

Alongside this, maintaining the right posture is very important. It is also recommended to not put too much pressure on one shoulder.

How can MyMedTrip.com help?

If you have decided to travel to India for Shoulder Replacement surgery, you may contact us on our WhatsApp Number +91 9818 2373 91 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com The first consultation arranged by us is free of cost! We also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India along with a set of other services.

When you travel to India, you shall be provided with one case in charge for proper guidance through linguistic barriers, even though most of the hospitals and doctors we feature are well versed with Arabic, Russian,Bengali, and English.

If you have any further queries or questions related to Shoulder Replacement  surgery services in India, please speak with us for any clarifications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shoulder Replacement Surgery

What are the common types of shoulder injuries?

osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, tearing of the rotator cuff, and shoulder fracture are some examples of shoulder injuries.

What is osteoarthritis?

It is a degenerative bone disease affecting people over 50 years and has no cure.

This is caused by the damage due to “wear and tear” of the cartilage. As a result of the worn out cartilage, the bones rub against each other and cause extreme pain.

What is inflammatory arthritis?

This is an umbrella term for a group of autoimmune diseases that have no cause. Autoimmune diseases are diseases that result when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues instead of foreign elements.

What is tearing off the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff comprises tendons and muscle which covers the humerus. When the rotator cuff is torn due to extreme shoulder activity on excessive weight, the cartilage begins to get destroyed.

When is shoulder replacement surgery recommended?

Shoulder replacement surgery is recommended when there is shoulder pain which is severe and interferes with one’s daily activities, shoulder pain even during resting hours, weakness in the shoulder, and loss of motion of the shoulder.

What are the different types of shoulder replacement surgery?

The different types of shoulder replacement surgery are total shoulder replacement surgery, partial shoulder replacement surgery, resurfacing hemiarthroplasty, and reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

What are the risks of shoulder replacement surgery?

There are various risks of shoulder replacement surgery such as infection, nerve injury, dislocation, and loosening

What is the recovery time for shoulder replacement surgery?

The recovery time of shoulder replacement surgery depends on the overall health of the patient. It can take up to a year to completely recover from shoulder replacement surgery.