Shoulder Replacement Hospital in Ahmedabad

Shoulder replacement (shoulder arthroplasty) is an operation in which the damaged surfaces of the shoulder joint are replaced with artificial parts (an implant). It is done mainly for severe arthritis, arthritis with a badly torn rotator cuff and some complex fractures, when pain, stiffness and weakness limit daily life and other treatments no longer help.

There are four main types: anatomic total shoulder replacement, reverse shoulder replacement, partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) and revision shoulder replacement. The right option depends mainly on the condition of the rotator cuff tendons, the condition of the socket and the bone, and the patient's age, health and activity level.

PMG Hospital (PMG Orthopedic Hospital), Gota, is an orthopedic hospital for shoulder replacement in Ahmedabad, where total, reverse, partial and revision shoulder replacement are performed. This page explains when shoulder replacement is needed, the types of surgery, how the type is chosen, the procedure, recovery, risks and cost factors.

What Is Shoulder Replacement?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is the upper end of the arm bone (the humeral head), and the shallow socket (the glenoid) is part of the shoulder blade. Smooth cartilage covers both surfaces. A group of four tendons called the rotator cuff holds the ball in the socket and helps to lift and turn the arm.

When the cartilage wears away or the joint is badly damaged, the shoulder becomes painful, stiff and weak. In a shoulder replacement, the damaged surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and plastic parts that allow smoother movement. Which parts are replaced, and how they are arranged, depends on the type of replacement.

Types of Shoulder Replacement

Related pages: Total shoulder replacement·Partial shoulder replacement·Revision shoulder replacement·Rotator cuff repair

Anatomic or Reverse - How the Type Is Chosen

The most important factor in choosing between an anatomic and a reverse shoulder replacement is the rotator cuff.

An anatomic replacement in a shoulder whose rotator cuff does not work is more likely to become unstable or loosen early. For this reason, the rotator cuff and the bone of the socket are assessed before surgery with examination and scans, and checked again during the operation.

When Is Shoulder Replacement Needed?

Signs That It May Be Time for an Assessment

• Shoulder pain that limits reaching, lifting, dressing or personal care
• Pain at rest or at night that disturbs sleep
• Stiffness or loss of movement, such as difficulty lifting the arm or reaching behind the back
• Weakness of the arm, or grinding or catching in the shoulder
• Pain that continues despite medicines, injections and physiotherapy

Treatment Before Surgery

Unless there is a fracture that needs surgery, shoulder replacement is usually advised only after other treatments have been tried, such as:

• Changes to daily activities and avoiding movements that cause pain
• Physiotherapy to keep the shoulder moving and strengthen the muscles around it
• Pain-relief medicines, used as advised by a doctor
• Steroid injections in selected patients, which may give temporary relief
• Other operations, such as rotator cuff repair, in selected patients before arthritis has developed

A shoulder replacement treatment hospital in Ahmedabad should provide these non-surgical treatments as well as surgery, because not every painful shoulder needs an operation. Tell the surgeon about any recent shoulder injection; a steroid injection within about three months before a replacement may increase the risk of infection.

Assessment Before Surgery

A shoulder replacement doctor in Ahmedabad - an orthopaedic surgeon - assesses the shoulder before advising surgery:

1. 1History and examination: pain, movement, strength of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscle, nerve function, and the neck, which can also cause pain felt around the shoulder
2. 2X-rays of the shoulder: to see the joint, the bone and the shape of the socket
3. 3MRI or ultrasound: in selected cases, to assess the rotator cuff tendons
4. 4CT scan: often used to assess the bone and wear of the socket and to plan the position of the implant
5. 5Fitness for surgery: blood tests, ECG, blood sugar and blood pressure control, and checks of the heart, lungs and kidneys as needed
6. 6Infection check: any skin, dental or urinary infection is treated before surgery
7. 7Medicines: blood thinners and some other medicines may need to be stopped or changed, only as advised by the doctor

Shoulder Replacement Surgery in Ahmedabad: Step by Step

The main steps are similar in any shoulder replacement surgery hospital in Ahmedabad:

1. 1Anaesthesia: usually general anaesthesia, often with a nerve block in the neck that numbs the shoulder and arm for pain relief after surgery
2. 2Approach: the joint is usually reached through a cut over the front of the shoulder; one of the rotator cuff tendons at the front (the subscapularis) is usually detached to reach the joint and repaired at the end, when possible
3. 3Preparing the bone: the damaged ball is removed and, in a total or reverse replacement, the socket is prepared
4. 4Fitting the implant: the parts chosen for the shoulder (anatomic, reverse or partial) are fixed, with or without bone cement, and the shoulder is checked for movement and stability
5. 5Closure: the tendons, muscles and skin are closed and dressed, and the arm is placed in a sling
6. 6Duration: the operation usually takes about two hours, and longer in complex or revision cases

Recovery After Shoulder Replacement

This is a general guide. Recovery differs between anatomic, reverse and partial replacement, and is slower after revision surgery or surgery for a fracture.

Care After Surgery

• Wear the sling as advised, including at night in the early weeks
• Until the surgeon allows it, do not lift heavy objects, push yourself up from a chair or bed with the operated arm, or force the arm outward or behind your back
• Do the exercises taught by the physiotherapist every day; they are a key part of recovery
• Keep the wound clean and dry until it has healed
• Attend follow-up visits, including X-rays as advised

How Long Does a Shoulder Replacement Last?

A large study of published case series and a national joint registry found that about nine in ten shoulder replacements had not needed revision surgery 10 years after the operation, with a slightly lower figure for partial replacements. Information on longer periods is limited. How long an implant lasts depends on the type of replacement, the reason for surgery, the condition of the rotator cuff, bone quality, age and activity level. Regular follow-up visits help to detect wear or loosening early.

Source: Evans JP et al. The Lancet Rheumatology. 2020;2:e539–e548.

Risks and Possible Complications

Shoulder replacement is a common operation, but no surgery is without risk. The surgeon explains these risks before taking consent.

• Infection of the wound or around the implant, which may need further surgery; infection can appear months or years later, sometimes only as increasing pain or stiffness without fever
• Instability or dislocation of the new joint
• Injury to nerves (such as the axillary nerve) or blood vessels, which is uncommon; nerve problems are often temporary
• Fracture of the arm bone or shoulder blade during or after surgery
• Stiffness or limited movement, especially when exercises cannot be continued
• Loosening or wear of the implant over time, which may need revision surgery
• Blood clots in the arm or leg veins or lungs, which are less common than after hip or knee replacement
• Continuing pain or weakness in some patients
• Anaesthesia-related and general medical risks, including temporary numbness of the arm after a nerve block; the nerve block in the neck can also weaken the breathing muscle on that side for some hours, so tell the anaesthetist if you have lung disease; and heart, lung or kidney problems, especially in older patients or those with other illnesses

Some risks depend on the type of replacement. After an anatomic replacement, the repaired subscapularis tendon may fail to heal, the rotator cuff may tear later, and the socket component may loosen over time. After a reverse replacement, wear of the bone at the lower edge of the socket (scapular notching), a stress fracture of the shoulder blade (acromion or scapular spine) and dislocation are possible. After a partial replacement, the natural socket may wear over time and cause pain.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery Hospital in Ahmedabad

When choosing a shoulder replacement hospital in Ahmedabad, check that the treating surgeon is a qualified orthopaedic surgeon with valid medical council registration, that the hospital regularly performs this operation, how infection is prevented, which implants and tests are available, what physiotherapy and follow-up are provided, and what the written estimate includes.

Look beyond general phrases such as "a shoulder replacement hospital with modern facilities" and ask which facilities are actually available on site.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery Cost in Ahmedabad

• The type of replacement: anatomic, reverse, partial or revision
• The implant system chosen
• One shoulder or both shoulders
• Length of hospital stay and room category
• Other medical conditions and any extra care needed
• Physiotherapy and follow-up

A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.

Insurance

• Medically necessary shoulder replacement is generally covered under health insurance policies, subject to policy terms, waiting periods and insurer approval
• Some policies have limits on room rent or implant costs; check these with your insurer before surgery
• Ask the hospital whether cashless treatment is available with your insurer, and which documents are needed

Shoulder Replacement Doctor in Ahmedabad

Shoulder replacement is advised and performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, usually one who works mainly in joint replacement or shoulder surgery. Because most patients are older or have other illnesses, several doctors and team members are usually involved:

Shoulder Replacement Surgery Doctor in Ahmedabad

Before agreeing to the operation, it is reasonable to ask your shoulder replacement surgery doctor in Ahmedabad a few clear questions. The answers help you understand the plan and give informed consent.

Treating Surgeon

At PMG Hospital, shoulder replacement is performed by:

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Facilities at PMG Hospital

• Orthopaedic OPD, Monday to Saturday
• Emergency and trauma care, 24×7
• Orthopaedic physiotherapy centre

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact and Location