Surgery and aftercare

In order to reach the shoulder joint for the implantation of a shoulder prosthesis, an approximately 15 cm long skin incision is made. The surgeon removes damaged tissue and possibly inflamed bursae in the joint and then, depending on the type of prosthesis, prepares the bone for implantation. The length of the operation depends on the type of prosthesis.

Inverted shoulder prostheses are implanted within two to three hours, the other shoulder prosthesis operations are one to two hours shorter. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. In addition, a pain catheter can be inserted, which remains in the patient for a few days and guarantees efficient pain treatment.

After the operation, the affected arm is placed in a sling for a few weeks to protect the shoulder. As a rule, the first movements can be performed after two to three days under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The hospital stay lasts about five days.

Patients can then generally carry out their daily activities themselves with the help of the new shoulder prosthesis, but of course it may be that activities such as brushing teeth with the side that has not been operated on have to be carried out at the beginning. A shoulder prosthesis must be used to avoid heavy loads, such as lifting heavy objects. This is followed by outpatient physiotherapy with exercises to strengthen the muscles in order to restore the mobility of the shoulder joint.

Patience and commitment of the patient is required here, since lifting the arm above the horizontal is often only possible again without problems after several months. The operation for implanting a shoulder prosthesis usually takes between one and two hours.During this time the patient is either under general anesthesia or – as a safe alternative – local anesthesia in the shoulder and arm area (plexus anesthesia). It is not possible to specify a general surgery duration, as this always depends on the following factors:

Surgical technique of the respective surgeon
Extent of shoulder joint damage
Individual anatomy of the patient