Everyday life with a shoulder prosthesis

Although shoulder prostheses are becoming increasingly high quality, they never match the quality of a real joint. In order for the new joint to last as long as possible, a few things must be taken into account. For example, the patient should not make any jerky movements; sports such as boxing or tennis are not recommended.

Furthermore, the patient should not lift heavily and should distribute the weight to both arms. Long overhead work should be avoided and if the patient falls on the shoulder prosthesis, an X-ray should be taken for control. It is strongly recommended to gently train the shoulder muscles and mobility by stretching.

In physiotherapy the patient is shown the necessary exercises. Sports with uniform movements such as swimming, cycling or dancing are unproblematic for the shoulder prosthesis. It is not possible to say to the day how long a shoulder prosthesis will last in total, nor can it be said in general terms.

The durability of the material used depends on the one hand on the material or type of prosthesis used, the degree of shoulder joint damage is/was and the extent to which the shoulder joint is stressed after the operation. On average, it can be expected that the prosthesis material will have to be replaced after 10 years or more, as the first signs of wear and tear become apparent. Whether or not a degree of disability exists after the implantation of a shoulder prosthesis depends largely on the healing process.

After a complication-free operation and appropriate care and follow-up therapy, no or only very slight restriction of movement in the joint is usually to be expected. Continuous movement and strength training during rehabilitation is important in order to achieve an optimal result of the operation. If, contrary to expectations, there are severe limitations to movement in the joint after an implantation (e.g. due to complications after the operation), a medical opinion should be obtained to assess the degree of disability.