Shoulder Replacement Surgery in India

Shoulder replacement surgery treats severe shoulder pain and stiffness, most often caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff damage, or a previous fracture, when the joint no longer responds to medication, injections, or physiotherapy. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, and surgery replaces the damaged surfaces with prosthetic components to relieve pain and restore movement.

Choosing the type of replacement

In a total shoulder replacement, both the ball (humeral head) and socket (glenoid) are replaced, and works well for patients with an intact, healthy rotator cuff. A partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) replaces only the ball, keeping the natural socket, and is used when the socket itself is largely healthy. A reverse shoulder replacement switches the position of the ball and socket, the ball is fixed to the shoulder blade and the socket to the arm bone, allowing the deltoid muscle to power arm movement instead of a damaged rotator cuff. This makes it the preferred option for patients with significant rotator cuff tears or those who have had a previous replacement that failed.

What to expect from the outcome

Most patients experience significant pain relief and meaningfully improved range of motion. As with any joint replacement, the implant is a mechanical device with a working lifespan, current implants often perform well for 15-20 years or more, though this varies with activity level and individual factors, and a small proportion of patients eventually need revision surgery.