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General health information

Shoulder replacement

A shoulder replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain and loss of function from joint damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can greatly reduce pain, but it is a major procedure. Beforehand, understand which type of prosthesis is needed, how the tendons function and what rehabilitation involves. Important risks include infection, thrombosis, nerve injury, loosening and sometimes dislocation or instability. Always tell your dentist and other doctors that you have a prosthesis, but antibiotics for dental procedures are not routine for everyone; follow your orthopaedic specialist's and dentist's advice.

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  • Shoulder replacement is intended for people with significant shoulder joint pain and loss of function.
  • The choice of prosthesis depends partly on wear and tear, bone quality and the condition of the rotator cuff tendons.
  • Surgery is followed by a sling, wound care and weeks to months of rehabilitation.
  • Important risks include infection, thrombosis, nerve damage, loosening, wear and sometimes instability or dislocation.
  • Contact a doctor promptly for warning signs such as fever, increasing wound leakage, sudden severe shoulder pain or breathlessness.

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Further reading

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H
Hip replacementA hip replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain and restriction from hip damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can greatly improve walking, sleeping and daily function, but requires preparation and substantial rehabilitation. Important risks include infection, thrombosis, hip dislocation, nerve problems, a feeling of unequal leg length and, longer term, wear or loosening. After hip replacement, tell every doctor and dentist that you have a prosthesis. Antibiotics for dental procedures are not routine for everyone; if unsure, discuss this with your orthopaedic specialist and dentist, especially with previous prosthetic infection or high risk.
K
Knee replacementA knee replacement is a prosthesis fitted when pain, stiffness and loss of function from severe knee damage do not improve enough with other treatments. Surgery can improve walking, stair use and sleep, but requires active rehabilitation and patience. Possible complications include infection, thrombosis, wound problems, persistent stiffness, loosening and sometimes lasting pain despite technically successful surgery. Tell your dentist and other doctors that you have a knee prosthesis. Antibiotics for dental procedures are not automatically needed for everyone; if unsure, discuss this with your orthopaedic specialist and dentist, especially with previous prosthetic infection or high risk.
K
Knee arthroscopyKeyhole surgery of the knee is called knee arthroscopy. The doctor looks inside the joint with a camera and may provide treatment immediately. It has useful applications, but does not help every type of knee pain. Benefits are often limited for wear-related changes or general osteoarthritis. After surgery, watch for infection, blood clots, increasing swelling and pain that does not gradually improve.