Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage on the joint surface breaks down, resulting in joint pain, stiffness, deformity, and loss of function. Similarly, rotator cuff tendon tears can lead to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.

Treatment Options

For both shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff injuries, non-surgical treatment options may include:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Joint health supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin)
• Oral anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections

If conservative treatment is no longer effective, tendon repair or total joint replacement surgery may be recommended.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

The type of shoulder replacement surgery depends on the specific condition of the joint and tendons:

• Anatomic Shoulder Replacement is typically performed when there is arthritis without rotator cuff damage.
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement is used when the rotator cuff tendons cannot be repaired, with or without arthritis present, or in cases of severe arthritis combined with tendon tears.

Many shoulder replacements can be performed in surgery centers, allowing patients to return home just a few hours after surgery. In some cases, an overnight hospital stay may be necessary for recovery monitoring.

Dr. Olson uses custom 3D-printed surgical guides for shoulder replacement, designed specifically for each patient. These guides are created from a customized preoperative plan using a detailed CT scan, helping ensure optimal alignment and function. 

He also utilizes a multimodal approach to pain control including spinal anesthetic, regional nerve blocks, local pain medicine injections, oral anti-inflammatories, and when needed opioid pain medications.