OP/Duration
There are various types of shoulder prosthesis that can be considered for surgery for a shoulder prosthesis. However, the procedure for the operation is similar for all of them. It takes about 1-2 hours and is performed under general or local anesthesia.
To reach the site of the operation, the surgeon must pass through the large muscle that covers the entire shoulder (deltoid muscle). Other muscles and tendon attachments located at the head of the humerus must also be severed to expose the joint. They will be sutured again after the prosthesis has been inserted, as you will later support the artificial joint.
Now the bone sections to which the prosthesis will be attached either for ingrowth or for cementing are prepared. After the prosthesis is in place, the tendons, deltoid muscle and the wound are sutured. Despite the relatively short operation time, the patient has a long and complex rehabilitation phase ahead of him during which the arm is immobilized by a special splint for the first 6 weeks and must not be loaded. This is followed by the active part of physiotherapy, during which the load is gradually increased, so that most patients are able to resume their daily activities after about 3 months.
Durability
A shoulder prosthesis normally lasts about 10-15 years. After this period, the prosthesis may become loose due to changes in bone structure or wear and tear of the material. If it is necessary to replace the prosthesis, the old prosthesis is removed and either replaced directly by a new one or first replaced by a placeholder, which is then replaced by a new prosthesis after 3 months. The follow-up treatment following the replacement of a shoulder prosthesis is similar to the first use of the shoulder prosthesis.
Mobility
The mobility of the shoulder joint is severely restricted immediately after the prosthesis is inserted. Affected persons are not allowed to move the arm on their own; this is only done passively by a physiotherapist, as described above. Once the rehabilitation measures and the active phase of physiotherapy have been successfully completed, patients generally have no restrictions in the mobility of their shoulder and can put full weight on it. It is recommended to continue the exercises learned during therapy at home for several months to ensure the best possible rehabilitation.