What is a partial shoulder replacement?
Partial shoulder replacement, also known as hemiarthroplasty, is a successful medical procedure that is used when only the head of the arm bone is affected by injury or disease. The shoulder joint works just like a ball and socket, and there are different types of shoulder replacement surgeries available to meet specific health needs. Depending on the condition of the shoulder joint, your doctor may advise replacing only the ball, leaving the socket unaffected. This is often recommended if the top of the arm bone is affected by severe fracture or arthritis. After exposing the joint, the damaged head of the arm bone (humerus) is replaced using a metal ball and stem. Your doctor may also smooth and reshape the socket before the arm bone is put back into place, to facilitate improved shoulder joint movement. Partial shoulder replacement is generally considered a more conservative treatment approach than a full shoulder replacement.
Is it right for me?
Partial shoulder replacement surgery is a specific medical procedure to treat a particular set of health conditions. It is usually recommended if the head of the arm bone is affected by arthritis, but the cartilage covering the arm socket remains healthy. It is also considered if the shoulder socket bone is weakened and cannot support a full shoulder replacement procedure or if the rotator cuff tendons are severely damaged.
The decision to have partial shoulder surgery is very personal and is usually only considered as a last option. If you have been suffering from persistent shoulder pain that does not respond to traditional methods of treatment such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections or physiotherapy, your doctor may suggest surgery as a final resort. Partial shoulder replacement surgery can relieve pain, improve form and function, and restore your quality of life by enabling a return to your daily activities.
Shoulder replacement approaches
How much will my shoulder surgery cost?
Understanding the cost of your treatment is an important consideration before committing to surgery, but it’s not always easy to find the information you need. Learn more about the factors which contribute to the cost of your surgery:
What will my treatment and recovery look like?
Familiarising yourself with your treatment program and understanding the recovery process are important steps to take on the pathway to surgery.
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