Shoulder Arthrosis
The wear and tear of the shoulder joint, i.e. shoulder arthrosis, is a process in which the bone is worn down more and more over the years. Mild forms of shoulder arthrosis can usually be treated conservatively. However, if the arthrosis is more advanced or associated with severe pain and restricted mobility, a shoulder prosthesis is a sensible solution.
There are various implants available depending on the type and progression of shoulder arthrosis.
- Surface replacement: This prosthesis is only a replacement of the humeral head and glenoid cavity. It is suitable for mild forms of arthrosis where there is no major bone damage
- Stem prosthesis: This prosthesis has a longer stem on the humeral component to provide better stability. This type of prosthesis is suitable for larger joint damage and poorer bone quality.
- Inverse shoulder prosthesis: With this type of prosthesis, the natural structure of the shoulder is reversed by attaching a trough-like prosthesis to the humeral head and a hemisphere to the glenoid cavity. The rotation makes the shoulder joint more stable, as this type of prosthesis is mainly used for severe injuries/wear where muscles and tendons are also affected.
Summary
In general, the healing prospects after a shoulder prosthesis are very good.Physiotherapy plays an essential role in the post-treatment in order to bring the patient back to everyday life in the best possible way. In the ideal case, physiotherapy even begins before the actual operation in order to get the joint moving and mobile again as quickly as possible afterwards. Targeted coordination, mobility and strengthening exercises are an integral part of the therapy. Depending on the prosthesis and individual medical history, a training plan is drawn up for each patient to help regulate the follow-up treatment after the shoulder prosthesis.
