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 and number one on the West Coast for surgical volume, 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.

Find Shoulder Replacement Doctor

Why Choose Us?

Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s fellowship-trained surgeons are shoulder replacement experts. We perform more total, partial and reverse shoulder replacement surgery than any hospital on the West Coast. Our nationally recognized program delivers exceptional outcomes, low complication rates and high patient satisfaction.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a destination for robotic-assisted shoulder replacement. In fact, one of our fellowship-trained surgeons performed the first ROSA® Robotic Shoulder Replacement System procedure in California. Robotic-assisted surgery offers increased precision using real-time data for superior outcomes. We are proud to be an early adopter of the technology, offering the latest surgical innovations to our patients

Director of the Shoulder Reconstruction Program: Hafiz Kassam, MD

Dr. Kassam is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery. He is an expert in minimally invasive techniques in shoulder and elbow joint replacement, as well as advanced arthroscopy, traumatic reconstruction, and non-operative treatments. In his role as Director of the Shoulder Reconstruction Program at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Dr. Kassam will lead the development and strategic direction of HOI’s shoulder program, ensuring that cutting-edge innovations in shoulder treatment are seamlessly integrated into patient care.

He will chair the Shoulder Program Committee, driving collaborative efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and patient experiences. Dr. Kassam’s leadership will also focus on advancing education, quality improvement, and performance initiatives across the program.

See Physician Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is nationally recognized for its expertise in joint replacement surgery and consistently ranks among the highest-volume programs in the United States. Our high surgical volume means our team brings deep, real-world experience to every procedure, from routine joint replacements to complex revisions.
Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons collaborate with physical therapists, anesthesiologists and care coordinators to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based joint replacement services. We offer advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures when appropriate, to help reduce pain and restore joint function.
As a patient at HOI, you will receive personalized care, proven outcomes and the support of a team committed to helping you move with strength and confidence.
Before joint replacement surgery, your care team will guide you through a thorough preoperative evaluation, including medical clearance, imaging and patient education. You’ll receive detailed instructions on preparing your home, medications to avoid and what to expect during recovery.
Total joint replacement is typically performed as an inpatient or same-day procedure, depending on your health and surgical plan.
Guided physical therapy is critical following joint replacement to rebuild your strength and mobility. Your team will monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed, helping you return safely to your favorite activities with greater comfort and confidence.
Total joint replacement may be recommended for patients with advanced joint damage that limits movement or causes daily pain, most often from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic injury.
You may be a candidate if conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections fail to provide relief.
Candidates for joint replacement often report pain with walking, climbing stairs or performing routine tasks. A joint replacement surgeon will evaluate your medical history, imaging and lifestyle goals to determine if surgery is the right next step.

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