Total Shoulder Arthroplasty or Total shoulder replacement (TSR) is a procedure that is preferred a lot for curing shoulder arthritis. Though, after performing Primary Shoulder Arthroplasty, insufficiency of subscapularis occurs and proves to be a major drawback associated with the surgery. Rotator Interval is one technique that can be followed without tenotomise the supraspinatus or subscapularis tendons. RI (Rotator Interval) procedure can be performed without even dislocating the shoulder as advanced methods are being used.
Consistently, a large number of traditional total shoulder replacements are effectively done, and the patients suffering from severe joint pain are being relieved through the replacement surgeries. This sort of medical procedure, in any case, isn't as helpful for patients with colossal rotator cuff tears who have built up an intricate kind of arthritis, i.e., called "cuff tear arthropathy." For the patients suffering from shoulder arthritis, conventional TSR (Total Shoulder Replacement) may result in torment and constrained movement. In such a scenario, Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement or Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty is considered as a preferable option.
Methodology
A traditional shoulder replacement gadget emulates the typical anatomy of the shoulder: a plastic "container/cup" is being fitted into the shoulder socket, i.e., called glenoid, and then a metal "ball" is fitted on the highest point (top) of the upper arm bone, i.e., called humerus. In a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, the glenoid and humerus are being switched. In other words, the plastic cup is being fitted on the top of the humerus, and the metal ball is being fitted into the glenoid.
A reverse total shoulder replacement or arthroplasty functions in an improved manner for the patients who have cuff tear arthropathy as it depends on different muscles to make the arm move. In the case of a well-functioning shoulder, the muscles associated with the rotator cuff help in the positioning of the arm, and also give power to the arm while performing any movement.
A conventional replacement device uses the muscles connected to the rotator cuff in order to function appropriately. If a patient has larger tear associated with the rotator cuff, then the muscles eventually stop functioning. The reverse total shoulder Arthroplasty depends on the deltoid muscle, rather than the rotator cuff, in order to provide support and power to the arm.
Surgical Procedure
The surgical procedure associated with shoulder arthroplasty takes time of approx. Two hours. In this operation, the shoulder joint is being replaced with the help of an artificial device.
Once the surgery gets started, the surgeon makes an incision either on the top or in the front of your shoulder. The surgeon then proceeds to remove the affected or damaged part of the bone. After the removal of the bone is done, new components are being positioned at the same place to restore the functioning of the shoulder.
Complications Associated with the Surgery
Reverse total shoulder replacement or Arthroplasty is a difficult procedure and demands utmost sincerity from doctor’s side. That’s why the doctor examines the patient properly to minimize further complications.
The risks associated with the particular surgery include infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. And, complications in relation to TSR (Total Shoulder Replacement), include loosening, wear, and dislocation of the associated parts.
