What is Reverse Shoulder Surgery?

An Overview
of Reverse Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder injuries can be life-changing. Those dealing with shoulder injuries will experience pain and limited mobility which makes even simple tasks much more difficult. This can lead to a decline in the quality of life that you experience and cause you to rely on others more frequently. There are multiple treatment options available for shoulder injuries depending on the type of injury you have. One such option is reverse shoulder surgery. Below, we will delve into what reverse surgery is and what injuries it can treat.

Reverse shoulder surgery is a surgical procedure designed to address specific shoulder injuries and conditions such as rotator cuff tears, rotator cuff arthropathy, or failed previous injury treatments. Unlike shoulder replacement surgery which tries to replicate the natural anatomy of your shoulder joint, reverse shoulder surgery switches the placement of the ball and socket in the shoulder joint.

The Procedure: During reverse shoulder surgery, the surgeon replaces the damaged ball-shaped head of the humerus bone with a prosthetic socket, while the prosthetic ball is attached to the shoulder socket (glenoid). This reversal of the ball and socket components allows the deltoid muscle to take over the role of the damaged rotator cuff, providing stability and control to the shoulder joint.

Is Reverse Shoulder Surgery Right for You?

Although reverse shoulder surgery is a great option for many patients, it is not suitable for everyone. You should consult with your orthopedic surgeon who will evaluate your medical history, shoulder injury, and lifestyle factors to determine if it is suitable for you. They will also discuss the potential risks, benefits, and expected outcomes with you to help you make an informed decision on your treatment options.

Learn More About Our Shoulder Injury Treatment Options!

At Plancher Orthopaedics, we provide shoulder injury treatment options to the Greenwich, CT area. Shoulder injuries can limit arm mobility and decrease the quality of life that a person experiences. It often makes the most basic tasks much more difficult. Shoulder surgeries can help to treat a variety of shoulder issues and restore mobility to the shoulder. One such shoulder surgery is called reverse shoulder surgery. This is an alternative treatment option to traditional shoulder replacement surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons can perform both reverse shoulder surgery and arthroplasty surgery. Contact us today to learn more about our shoulder injury treatment options!