Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Arthritis of the shoulder or other injuries may require an individual to get a total shoulder replacement. Many individuals in the market for a total shoulder replacement do not know that a reverse total shoulder replacement also exists. In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the ball in the cup of the prosthetic switch positions. The surgeon place the ball implant in the location of the cup on a natural shoulder and the cup where the ball resides. A very complicated procedure, only experienced shoulder orthopedic specialists should perform a reverse total shoulder replacement.
What makes someone a candidate for a reverse shoulder replacement?
Shoulder physicians may consider a patient for a reverse total shoulder replacement if the patient has a lot of damage to the outside muscles and rotator cuff as well as any pre-existing anatomical abnormalities or deformities. A doctor may also consider having the patient undergo a reverse total shoulder replacement if the patient has had a previous standard total shoulder replacement. In these cases, surgeons may use a reverse total shoulder replacement for the revision.
How surgeons perform a reverse total shoulder replacement
The surgical process for a reverse total shoulder replacement has many similarities to that of a standard total shoulder replacement. A large difference comes when a surgeon uses a reverse total shoulder replacement for the revision from a previous standard total shoulder. If performing a revision surgery, the surgeon must remove the previous hardware from the standard total shoulder replacement. Surgeons perform a reverse total shoulder replacement with the patient under general anesthesia. The surgeon creates an incision in the front of the shoulder and removes any bone or previous hardware needed. The surgeon then adds the new implant to the shoulder. A standard reverse total shoulder replacement takes between two and three hours.
Recovering from a reverse total shoulder replacement
Following a reverse total shoulder replacement, the treating physician prescribes the patient a physical therapy protocol. The patient should participate in physical therapy to gain mobility of the new shoulder and strengthen the 
surrounding muscles. Patients have to learn the new way their shoulder moves and what movements they need to avoid to avoid having a dislocation occur.
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Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Physicians
