Shoulder replacement surgery may be recommended to address painful and debilitating symptoms associated with degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder joint. A complex procedure, shoulder surgery is best performed by an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes specifically in shoulder treatment. Patients in Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg, Virginia, can work with the experienced subspecialists at Tidewater Orthopaedics. Our orthopaedic surgeons have expertise in conventional and reverse shoulder replacement, and also utilize advanced arthroscopic techniques to repair complex rotator cuff tears.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint where three bones – the humerus, scapula, and clavicle – come together. At their meeting point, the surfaces of these bones are lined with articular cartilage, a smooth substance that provides protection and facilitates ease of movement. The other surfaces in the joint are covered with a thin, smooth synovial membrane. In a healthy shoulder, this membrane produces fluid to lubricate the cartilage and eliminate friction. If a traumatic injury or degenerative change occurs within the shoulder structure, bone-on-bone contact can result, leading to pain and a reduced range of motion.
The shoulder specialists at Tidewater Orthopaedics in Hampton Roads might recommend shoulder replacement surgery for a patient who is experiencing:
At Tidewater Orthopaedics, we make patient education a priority, and we do everything possible to help our patients make informed decisions about shoulder replacement surgery and other treatment options. Our website, which includes short videos of our surgical procedures along with detailed animations and easy-to-understand explanations, is designed to be a helpful resource for patients.