Reverse shoulder replacement is a treatment option for people with rotator cuff deficiency. The rotator cuff is four muscles that connect the humerus to the scapula. These muscles provide a cuff around the humerus, positioning the arm and allowing rotation. A large rotator cuff tear causes these muscles to no longer function, thus, the shoulder becomes weak and painful. Often, patients will experience difficulty lifting their arm to comb their hair or reaching up to a shelf. This can be fixed by reversing the anatomy of the shoulder.

In reverse shoulder replacement, the ball of the humerus is replaced with a metal stem and a concave bowl (socket) component. A half metal ball is placed on the glenoid side. Because the reverse changes the geometry of the shoulder, the rotator cuff is not needed to stabilize the shoulder for rotation. Stabilization of the shoulder is provided by the prosthesis and the deltoid can now power elevation (lifting the arm).

If arthritic pain in your shoulder is affecting your enjoyment of your day-to-day life, the shoulder surgeons at Western Orthopaedics can help. To learn more about reverse shoulder replacement, or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialty-trained shoulder doctors at Western Orthopaedics, please call 303-321-1333.