# Shoulder Replacement

> Citation bundle for Shoulder Replacement on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/shoulder-replacement
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/shoulder-replacement

- Category: orthopaedic

## Description

Shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the glenohumeral joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. Such joint replacement surgery generally is conducted to relieve arthritis pain, improve joint mobility, and/or fix severe physical joint damage.

## Overview

Shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the glenohumeral joint, the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder, is replaced with a prosthetic implant. It is generally performed to relieve arthritis pain, improve joint mobility and address severe physical joint damage. The most common reason for surgery is severe arthritis of the shoulder: as the cartilage lining the joint wears away, the protective surface between the bones is lost and painful bone-on-bone arthritis develops, which can restrict movement. Surgery is usually considered only after conservative measures, such as activity modification, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular corticosteroid injections, have failed and pain is affecting quality of life. Several approaches are used to reach the joint, including the deltopectoral approach, which spares the deltoid muscle but requires the subscapularis to be cut, and the transdeltoid approach, which gives a direct view of the glenoid but places the deltoid and axillary nerve at some risk. A specific design, the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), was developed in the 1980s as a treatment for rotator cuff tear arthropathy in the elderly and has become well established for that condition, with its indications expanding over the last decade. Most shoulder replacements last longer than ten years, and a global study found that patients can expect large and long-lasting improvements in pain, strength, range of movement and their ability to complete everyday tasks. Outcomes tend to be better when the operating surgeon performs shoulder replacements frequently.

## Peer-reviewed outcome rates

- **Revision rate:** 8.40% (range 4.05–8.75%) — from 3 cited sources

## Common risks

- Infection
- Rotator cuff tear
- Glenohumeral instability
- Need for later revision surgery
- Injury to the deltoid or axillary nerve (a risk of the transdeltoid approach)

## FAQs

### What is shoulder replacement?

It is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant. It is generally done to relieve arthritis pain, improve mobility and address severe joint damage.

### When is shoulder replacement needed?

It is an option for severe shoulder arthritis, where worn cartilage leads to painful bone-on-bone contact and restricted movement. Surgery is usually indicated once conservative treatments have failed and pain is affecting quality of life.

### What is a reverse total shoulder replacement?

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a design developed in the 1980s to treat rotator cuff tear arthropathy in the elderly. It has become the well-established treatment of choice for that condition, and its indications have expanded over the last decade.

### How long does a shoulder replacement last?

Most shoulder replacements last longer than ten years. Studies report large and long-lasting improvements in pain, strength, range of movement and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

### What treatments are tried before surgery?

Conservative management usually comes first, including activity modification, physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as corticosteroid injections into the joint. Surgery is considered if these fail and pain continues to affect quality of life.

### What are the risks?

Besides the usual risks of surgery such as infection, shoulder replacement can lead to complications including rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral instability. Overall the complication rate is low, close to 5% depending on the type of surgery.

## Cited authors

- L Kostretzis — Surgery Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal University, 5415 Boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, H1T 2M4, Canada.…
- Eva Y Liu — Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
- Ahmed Haleem — Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

## Sources

- [Stemless reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review of contemporary literature.](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-021-00710-1) — Musculoskeletal surgery (accessed 2026-07-13)
- [Stemless reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review of short- and mid-term results.](https://doi.org/10.1177/17585732211013356) — Shoulder & elbow (accessed 2026-07-13)
- [Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review.](https://doi.org/10.1177/1758573220954157) — Shoulder & elbow (accessed 2026-07-13)