Reverse total shoulder replacement is used when conventional replacement may leave a person still in pain.
Doctors in the U.S. have performed total shoulder replacement surgery since the 1950s. Reverse total shoulder replacement surgery was developed in Europe in the 1980s and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. in 2004.
Total Shoulder Replacement
In a conventional total shoulder replacement, the joint surfaces are replaced with a plastic socket attached to the shoulder bone and a highly polished metal ball with a stem attached to the upper arm.
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the socket and metal ball are switched. A metal ball is attached to the shoulder bone and a plastic socket is attached to the upper arm bone.
Who is Reverse Replacement For?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, reverse total shoulder replacement is used for people who have completely torn rotator cuffs combined with severe arthritis or people who had a previous shoulder replacement that failed.
Why Reverse Replacement?
For the people mentioned, a conventional total shoulder replacement can leave them with pain and unable to lift their arm more than 90 degrees. The reverse replacement lets the person use the deltoid muscle instead of the torn rotator cuff to lift the arm.
Expert Insight
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, each person is different and the surgeon should carefully evaluate your situation before making any decisions. Plus, you should ask about the type of replacement and why the choice is right for you.
Tags: shoulder replacement, metal ball, Shoulder Replacement, shoulder replacement, total shoulder, total shoulder replacement, total shoulder replacement