If shoulder arthritis has you waking up at night or struggling to reach a shelf, you’ve probably wondered whether surgery could help. It often can. Shoulder replacement has helped people get back to everyday life for decades, and today there’s more than one way to do it. One option is stemless shoulder replacement, which is designed to preserve more of your natural bone.
What is a stemless shoulder replacement?
A shoulder replacement (also called shoulder arthroplasty) replaces the worn, arthritic surfaces of the joint with smooth artificial ones. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, and the “ball” is the top of your upper arm bone, the humerus.
Stemmed implants, the long-established standard, use a metal stem that sits inside the humerus to hold the new ball in place. A stemless implant reaches the same goal a different way. The surgeon removes the damaged surface at the top of the bone and anchors a small implant there, so the rest of the humerus is left in its natural state.
Both approaches are effective, and the right choice depends on your anatomy and bone quality. For patients who are good candidates, stemless offers some appealing advantages. According to a review by orthopedic surgeons at Mayo Clinic, the approach has been linked to:
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Shorter operating time
- More of the patient’s natural bone preserved
- A precise match to a person’s own anatomy
Keeping more of your own bone can also be helpful down the road. If a shoulder ever needs a second surgery (a revision), having more original bone to work with can make that procedure more straightforward.
What is recovery like?
Many people expect a long, difficult recovery and are pleasantly surprised.
Patients typically:
- Wear a soft sling for about six weeks
- Do physical therapy sessions
- Stop strong pain medication within a few days
Some research also suggests that when the rotator cuff tendon can be preserved during a stemless procedure, people may regain overhead motion sooner. Every shoulder is different, so your surgeon can tell you what to expect in your case.
Who is a candidate for stemless shoulder replacement?
The key requirement is good bone quality, since the implant relies on the top of the humerus for support. Many people who need a standard anatomic shoulder replacement, including many older adults, are good candidates. Your surgeon will review your imaging to confirm which implant is the best fit.
Talking with a TOC Physician
At TOC, we offer stemless shoulder replacement for eligible patients with shoulder arthritis or a severe shoulder injury. If shoulder pain is getting in the way of sleep, work, or the things you enjoy, get in touch. We’ll look at your imaging, talk through your goals, and help you find the option that fits you best.