Shoulder Replacement

The shoulder joint consists of a "ball and socket." The head of the upper arm bone, or humerus, is the ball and fits into a very shallow circular hollow in the shoulder bone, or scapula, which is the socket. The socket is surrounded by soft tissue and the ball is coated with a smooth, durable covering, called articular cartilage. To provide fluid movement, the joint has a thin, inner lining. The surrounding muscles and tendons, also known as the rotator cuff tendons, provide stability and support to the shoulder.

Common conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases as well as serious injuries can damage the shoulders' smooth surfaces. With arthritis, the joint surface is destroyed by wear and tear, inflammation, injury or previous surgery. This can result in limited movement and cause your shoulder to feel stiff and painful when trying to function normally.

In these cases, your doctor may recommend shoulder replacement surgery, also called arthroplasty. Although this procedure is less common than hip and knee replacement surgery, it is just as safe and effective in relieving joint pain and restoring a person's range of motion and quality of life. Most people who undergo total shoulder replacement are 55 years of age or older, although people of all ages successfully undergo this procedure.

The Orthopedic Arthroplasty Service at UCSF Medical Center includes orthopedic surgeons with expertise in joint replacement of the shoulder, hip and knee called arthroplasty. In addition, there are physician's assistants, nurses and physical therapists who are specially trained in the care of patients with joint replacements.

We have a long history performing joint replacement surgery that goes back to when the technique was first developed in the late 1960s. Over the years, the technology has continued to evolve and we currently offer the latest advancements in joint replacement therapy -- many of which aren't available at other medical centers. These include minimally invasive techniques, computer assisted surgery and alternate bearing surgery.

To make an appointment for shoulder replacement or other shoulder surgery because of arthritis, see our appointment request form.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated August 29, 2007