Shoulder replacement

Your shoulder manages much of your ability to move your arm with ease. Shoulder conditions are some of the most common in young and aging adults. Pain or lack of mobility can affect your ability to work or be active. Our specialists and staff members are here to help diagnose, care and treat your shoulder-related issues and keep you moving.

While our providers are able to treat many shoulder conditions with basic therapies, you may need shoulder replacement surgery if you have a more complex shoulder issue. Our doctors and staff members are experienced in both open shoulder replacement surgery and arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions and an arthroscope (a camera mounted on a thin, flexible tube called a catheter). Your surgeon will consider your medical history, provide a physical examination and order additional tests such as an X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to determine if shoulder replacement is best for you.

Your shoulder is a group of several bone structures, muscles and tendons, including:

• Clavicle — An S-shaped bone connecting the shoulder to the upper trunk of your body that supports the arm’s full range of motion and important nerves and blood vessels
• Humerus — This attaches your upper arm muscles to your shoulder
• Scapula — A flat, triangular-like bone commonly known as the shoulder blade that helps attach the muscles of the back and neck to the shoulder
• Acromial process — The extension of the scapula around the shoulder joint at the back
• Coracoid process — The extension of the scapula around the shoulder joint at the front of the scapula
• Glenoid — The shallow depression that forms the socket of the shoulder joint
  

Soft tissues connected to your shoulder's anatomy include but are not limited to:

• Articular cartilage — The capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint and keeps the ball and socket of the shoulder aligned
• Biceps tendon — Attaches the bicep muscle to the shoulder and helps to stabilize the joint
• Glenoid labrum — A ring of cartilage that helps support joint stabilization
  
• Rotator cuff — Four tendons that hold the head of the humerus in the socket
  

The first step of ensuring the best outcome for treatment is to get the right diagnosis of your condition. Our specialists will commonly review your medical history, perform a physical examination and order supplemental scans such as an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or ultrasound.

Specialists at Dallas Sarcoma Associates offer a wide range of treatment options and procedures to manage your shoulder-related issues. Depending on your condition and its severity, your provider may recommend medications to help with pain and swelling, physical or occupational therapy and when necessary surgery.