Is your torn rotator cuff causing you significant pain or negatively impacting your ability to complete your daily tasks?

If so, a reverse total shoulder replacement surgery from Orthopedic Institute of Rio Grande Valley may be right for you. A unique alternative to a conventional total shoulder replacement, a reverse total shoulder replacement may just be the procedure you need to feel your best and function at an optimal level once again.

What is a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement?

In a conventional shoulder replacement, the shoulder is replaced with plastic and metal pieces that look and function very similarly to how the original shoulder functioned. The device consists of a plastic socket and a metal ball, and the ball is allowed to rotate freely within the joint. With a reverse total shoulder replacement, however, the same structures are used, but their positions are switched. This allows for the patient to use the deltoid muscle, rather than the rotator cuff, to move the arm.

When is a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Necessary?

Reverse total shoulder replacements are used to decrease pain and increase shoulder functionality in people who have a torn rotator cuff. This procedure is generally recommended for people whose pain and loss of function interfere with their daily life, preventing them from being able to do simple tasks such as getting dressed or feeding themselves without pain.

Because it does involve surgery, a reverse total shoulder replacement is generally not the first option that doctors recommend. If you have tried alternative solutions, such as rest, medication, and physical therapy, without any improvement, however, a reverse total shoulder replacement may be right for you.

Is a Reverse Total Should Replacement Right for Me?

If your torn rotator cuff is causing you pain or interfering with your daily tasks, a reverse total shoulder replacement surgery may be just the solution you need to feel your best once again. Only a qualified orthopedic surgeon can let you know for sure, however, so if you have any questions or concerns about this procedure, be sure to call Orthopedic Institute of Rio Grande Valley to speak to a doctor about your health today.