Shoulder Replacement
For patients living with shoulder pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, shoulder replacement surgery may offer relief and a return to everyday activities. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic shoulder surgeons offer advanced procedures — including reverse and robotic-assisted shoulder replacement — to help restore comfort and movement.
Among the foremost experts in shoulder replacement surgery, our team is committed to helping you to get back to living the life you love.
Benefits of a Total Shoulder Replacement
The primary and most predictable benefit of a total shoulder replacement is pain relief.
For patients suffering from shoulder conditions such as advanced arthritis or degenerative joint disease, shoulder joint replacement surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate the chronic pain that interferes with sleep, rest and daily life. By replacing the damaged joint surfaces with smooth, artificial components, the procedure helps minimize friction and inflammation, providing consistent relief from discomfort.
Improved function is also a potential benefit of total shoulder replacement, though results vary depending on the condition of the joint, surrounding muscles and overall health. Many patients find they can return to activities such as grooming, dressing, reaching and lifting light objects — motions that were previously difficult or impossible due to pain and stiffness. While a return to full strength and range of motion is not guaranteed, shoulder replacement may restore enough function to improve independence and quality of life.
In some cases, a partial shoulder replacement (hemi-replacement) may be recommended instead of a complete shoulder joint replacement, particularly for certain complex fractures of the humeral head. Your orthopedic surgeon will help determine which approach is best for your condition.
Whether you're considering a partial or complete shoulder replacement, the ultimate goal is to relieve pain and improve shoulder function in ways that support your lifestyle and daily goals.
Who May Be a Candidate for Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Shoulder replacement surgery may be considered for patients with severe shoulder pain, stiffness or loss of function caused by arthritis, degenerative joint disease or complex shoulder injuries. Candidates often experience pain that interferes with daily activities or sleep and does not improve with conservative shoulder care treatments such as physical therapy, medications or injections.
The most common indication for total shoulder replacement is shoulder pain due to arthritis or degenerative joint disease that cannot be controlled with non-operative treatment. This pain is often accompanied by progressive stiffness, loss of motion and sometimes a grinding or grating sensation.
A thorough evaluation by a shoulder specialist is necessary to determine whether shoulder joint replacement is appropriate. Your surgeon will review imaging, overall health and treatment goals to recommend the best option for your individual condition.
How Shoulder Replacement Works
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that enables you to raise, twist and bend your arm. In a healthy shoulder, the joint ball or rounded end of the upper arm bone (humeral head) glides against the small dish-like socket (glenoid) in the shoulder blade (scapula). These joint surfaces are covered with smooth cartilage, which cushions movement and allows the shoulder to rotate through a greater range of motion than any other joint in the body.
Total shoulder replacement involves replacing the joint ball and the socket with an implant (prosthesis). The implant contains a ball with a stem that extends down inside the patient’s upper arm bone (humerus) and a socket placed over the glenoid. Depending on the condition of your shoulder, your surgeon may replace only the ball. Sometimes this decision is made in the operating room during the shoulder surgery.
Types of Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Several types of shoulder joint replacement surgery are available. The right approach depends on your shoulder’s condition, anatomy and treatment goals.
- Total Shoulder Replacement (also called total shoulder joint replacement or complete shoulder joint replacement) is the most common procedure. It involves replacing both the ball (humeral head) and the socket (glenoid) with prosthetic components. This approach is typically used to relieve pain and restore function in patients with arthritis and an intact rotator cuff, which is necessary for proper joint movement after surgery.
- Partial Shoulder Replacement (hemiarthroplasty) may be considered when only the ball of the joint is damaged, such as in certain complex fractures of the humeral head, and the socket remains healthy.
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement is used when the rotator cuff is severely torn or nonfunctional. In this procedure, the ball-and-socket orientation is reversed, allowing the deltoid muscle to compensate for the loss of rotator cuff function. It may be recommended for cuff tear arthropathy or certain revision surgeries.
The most recently developed implants for shoulder replacement allow for the new humeral head to conform to the patient’s exact anatomy and a cementless stem that allows for the ingrowth of bone into the prosthesis.
During and After the Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery
During shoulder replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged portions of the joint and implants the replacement parts.
You will be admitted as an inpatient and the procedure will be done in one of Hoag’s state-of-the-art operating rooms. It will likely take around two hours and will be done under general or regional anesthesia.
Hospital Stay & Early Recovery
The procedure will be performed in one of Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s state-of-the-art operating rooms and take approximately two hours. General and regional anesthesia such as a nerve block will be used. During your stay, occupational therapy will instruct you on your brace and how to manage your daily activities.
Pain management and early mobility are key goals during the hospital stay. Your care team will monitor your recovery closely and provide guidance on protecting the shoulder and using a sling if needed.
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is essential to the success of your shoulder replacement. Your Hoag Orthopedic Institute physical therapy team will create a careful, well-planned rehabilitation program tailored to support your recovery and long-term function.
Most patients are able to perform simple activities such as eating, dressing and grooming within two weeks after surgery. Gradual strengthening and increased shoulder use are introduced in phases, with unrestricted, active use of your arm sometimes beginning around eight weeks after surgery, depending on healing progress and surgeon guidance.
Why Choose Hoag Orthopedic Institute for Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder replacement surgery is a highly technical procedure and is best performed by a surgical team that performs this surgery often. As a specialty hospital focused solely on orthopedics, Hoag Orthopedic Institute delivers expert care across every major orthopedic subspecialty, with a reputation for innovation, surgical excellence and patient satisfaction.
At HOI, you will find that the shoulder care team has the expertise you need, from orthopedic surgeons who specialize in leading-edge shoulder and elbow surgery, to orthopedic certified nurses and orthopedic dedicated surgical techs and physical therapists. Your surgeon will evaluate your situation carefully before making any decisions and the surgical team will proceed with your safety, pain management and the ultimate outcome for you in the forefront.
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