Offering Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement, or shoulder arthroplasty, is a type of orthopedic surgery that removes a damaged shoulder joint and places a new, artificial joint in the socket. Shoulder replacement surgery can be very beneficial if you have shoulder pain or disability from an injury or chronic joint condition.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of shoulder replacement surgery in the Bay Area, meet with one of our experienced and knowledgeable doctors at Dignity Health. To request an appointment with a provider near you, Find a Doctor online or call (888) 510-7331 for a referral to a location near you:

• St. Mary’s Medical Center
• Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
• Sequoia Hospital
• Dominican Hospital

Why Shoulder Replacement Surgery is Valuable

Your doctor may recommend a joint replacement for your shoulder if you have one or more of these symptoms:

• Other treatments haven’t been successful at treating your shoulder problem 
• Severe pain in your shoulder that limits daily activities
• Shoulder pain even when resting your shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder or inability to use your shoulder normally

Joint injuries, infections, and arthritis that haven’t responded to physical therapy, steroid injections, and medications can often be relieved with shoulder arthroplasty.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery at Dignity Health

For this procedure, you’ll be in a Dignity Health hospital or outpatient surgery center in the Bay Area and under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make an incision in your shoulder to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial one. In most cases, this will be a total joint replacement. Some conditions may warrant a partial joint replacement.

Once surgery is complete, you may need to spend a few days in the hospital to recuperate. Some people also need rehabilitation before they safely return home. You’ll need to wear an arm sling for two to four weeks to keep your shoulder stable while it heals.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery

Most people find that shoulder replacement gives them more freedom to pursue things they used to do, but couldn’t do before surgery. Your doctor and physical therapist will give you special instructions for how to care for your new shoulder joint while it heals. This may include:

• Avoiding activities that are repetitious.
• Getting regular exercise to maintain flexibility and strength.
• Learning how to lift weights safely so as not to overload your joint.
• Not using your arm to push yourself up from bed or a chair.

Together with a provider at a Dignity Health hospital in the Bay Area, you can create a personalized recovery strategy that meets the goals of your physical therapy program.