As one continues to age, damage and wear-and-tear to the body will begin to take its toll. One significant aspect of this is the breakdown of the joints that hold our bones and limbs together. This is why some of the most common surgical procedures right now include joint replacements for hips and knees.
Shoulder replacement surgery, although not as common as hip or knee replacements, are on the rise. This is because the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, making it susceptible to damage. The procedure involves replacing the damaged parts of the shoulder joint with artificial components to relieve pain and improve or restore mobility in the joint.
Today, shoulder replacement surgeries are performed throughout Provo, Utah, and the rest of the United States. Here are some of the reasons why one might have to undergo shoulder replacement surgery:
Osteoarthritis
This is a degenerative kind of arthritis that mainly affects elderly individuals. It occurs when the cartilage in the joint, which cushions the bones in the shoulder, softens and withers. Thus, any movement in the shoulder will make the bones rub against one another, causing stiffness and pain.
Given that there is no concrete way to prevent the development of osteoarthritis, shoulder replacement surgery is usually the only way to counteract its effects. Hence, it is one of the leading reasons why people undergo shoulder replacement surgery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Similar to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis results in the loss and breakdown of cartilage in the joints, albeit due to different causes. With rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing the synovial fluid found in the cavities of joints to become inflamed and thickened. This, in turn, damages the cartilage and can result in the complete loss of cartilage in the joints.
Avascular Necrosis
Also known as osteonecrosis, this occurs when the blood supply to the bone is disrupted and the bone is unable to receive blood. Because our bone cells need oxygen and blood to survive and regenerate, a disruption in the supply of blood will result in the death of these bone cells. This, in turn, can lead to the destruction of the bones in the shoulder joint and result in arthritis, causing significant damage and pain.
Shoulder Injuries
Injuries to the shoulder, such as fractured shoulder bones, dislocations, and tears of the tendons and ligaments, can end up damaging the cartilage in the joint over time. This can lead to the development of arthritis, limiting shoulder function and causing significant pain.
Another common cause of shoulder replacement surgery is a severe injury to the shoulder joint. This could come in the form of fractures or the complete shattering of bones. This necessitates a shoulder replacement to repair the damage and restore function to the shoulder.
Thanks to advances in medicine, replacing joints with artificial ones is not only possible but quite common as well. Thus, even those afflicted with degenerative diseases need not live in pain, which is what such procedures aim to address.
