Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder Replacement Surgery at UVM Health

A shoulder replacement, also called shoulder arthroplasty, is a surgery to remove the shoulder’s ball and socket and replace it with artificial parts. Your surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement if you have severe shoulder damage that hasn’t improved with nonsurgical treatments.

Trust your shoulder surgery to the skilled, experienced specialists at University of Vermont Health. Our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians are among the most experienced shoulder experts in Vermont and northern New York.

A female patient lays down on a bed clutching her shoulder.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading orthopedic programs in the region, we offer:

High volumes: Our team performs more than 100 shoulder replacements each year. Our high volumes position us among the most experienced shoulder replacement surgery teams in the region.
Effective care plans: We use thorough assessments to ensure you’re a good candidate for a shoulder replacement. These detailed evaluations help increase the chances of an excellent long-term outcome.
Research emphasis: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers, many of whom train the next generation of experts. We are at the forefront of research into shoulder care.

Conditions We Treat

Shoulder replacements are less common than hip or knee replacements, but they are very effective for some people with advanced shoulder damage. You may be a candidate for a shoulder replacement if you have severe:

Arthritis: The spongy connective tissue at the end of your bones (cartilage) wears away, causing pain and inflammation.
Rotator cuff injuries: The muscles and soft tissues that surround and stabilize your shoulder joint become inflamed or injured.
Shoulder fracture: One of the bones of your shoulder joint breaks.

What to Expect During a Shoulder Replacement

Depending on the damage to your shoulder joint, you may need a total or partial shoulder replacement:

Partial shoulder replacement: Your surgeon removes only the head of your upper arm bone and replaces it with a metal ball.
Total shoulder replacement: Your surgeon removes both the head of your upper arm bone and your shoulder socket. They replace them with metal and plastic parts.

Your surgical team gives you anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. You may have general anesthesia (where you remain asleep) or regional anesthesia (where you are awake, but your shoulder is numbed).

During a shoulder replacement, your surgeon:

Makes an incision over your shoulder joint
Removes the head of your arm bone and, when necessary, the socket attached to your shoulder
Places a metal ball in your upper arm and, when necessary, a plastic socket component in your shoulder

Your surgeon will discuss how long you need to stay in the hospital and what you can expect during recovery. After surgery, you will participate in physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and improve range of motion in your shoulder as you recover.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Depending on your needs, our surgeons may perform a reverse shoulder replacement, a technique not widely available. Usually, your shoulder forms a socket and your upper arm forms a ball shape that fits into that socket.

In a reverse shoulder replacement, your surgeon places the ball portion of the joint on your shoulder blade. They attach a socket to your upper arm bone. This technique may be particularly helpful for people who have severe rotator cuff damage, usually due to arthritis. After surgery, you use different muscles to move your arm so there’s less pressure on the rotator cuff.

Couldn't have asked for a more pleasant experience from pre-surgical to post recovery. Will forever be thankful for the exceptional care.

UVM Health Patient

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Shoulder Replacement Surgery