Total Shoulder Replacement

Hemi-replacement of the shoulder joint is done only when the humeral head is damaged or the cartilage is lost. In cases where the cartilage of the glenoid as well as the humeral head is damaged, benefit from a total shoulder replacement where in the damaged cartilage of the glenoid (socket) as well the humeral head (ball) is replaced. In cases where the damage to the articular cartilage is associated with damage to the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joint as well, the maximum benefit is achieved by doing a reverse shoulder replacement wherein the socket is placed on the arm bone and the ball is placed on the glenoid.