Key Takeaways
- Post-surgery, most shoulder replacement patients experience less pain for shorter amounts of time compared to other shoulder surgeries, such as rotator cuff repairs.
- Improvements to mobility and strength can continue for up to 1 year after surgery.
- Most patients go home the same day and don’t end up staying overnight in a hospital.
Shoulder replacement surgery is becoming more common, mainly those who are experiencing arthritis. More than 175,000 shoulder replacements are expected this year alone, according to the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
While the idea of a joint replacement surgery may seem daunting at first, being able to move more freely and regaining strength and flexibility post-surgery makes the procedure rewarding for patients – and our orthopedic surgery team.
“These are some of my happiest patients,” said Rami Elshaar, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of Shoulder Surgery at Rochester General Hospital.
Dr. Elshaar shares some of the top comments that his patients have told him after their shoulder replacement surgery about what they expected beforehand – and what actually happened with their shoulder replacement.
1. Less pain
Patients are often nervous about pain after recovering from surgery, especially when the surgery involves a major joint of the body.
However, shoulder replacement patients describe having less pain typically after shoulder replacement surgery than other similar procedures, such as rotator cuff repair.
“While there is some initial discomfort, they often start to feel less pain post-surgery more quickly than they expect,” Dr. Elshaar said.
2. Straightforward surgery
The shoulder is a complex joint that requires expert care by experienced orthopedic surgeons like the team at Rochester Regional Health.
Patients considering the surgery are often pleased to learn that resurfacing the ball and socket joint is a straightforward procedure and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
3. Continued improvement
Generally, patients take 3-4 months to regain the majority of their anticipated range of motion and strength after surgery. Undergoing physical therapy helps each person with that recovery.
However, with continued focus and discipline, patients can continue improving their mobility, strength, and control of their shoulder for up to a year.
4. Same-day surgery
Most major surgeries require a hospital stay, but that is often not true for shoulder replacement patients.
A shoulder replacement is usually a same-day surgery for most patients, especially if the surgery is scheduled for early in the day.
“Most of our shoulder replacement patients go home on the same day after a few hours being monitored,” Dr. Elshaar said.
If you are considering a shoulder replacement or other shoulder care, ask your primary care provider or our orthopedic shoulder care specialists for more information about the procedure, recovery, and any expectations they might have.
“There are a lot of patients who are feeling pain in their shoulder joint and it’s limiting their daily activities and hobbies,” Dr. Elshaar said. “Being able to help these patients return to their life without pain is one of the most rewarding experiences. I am very grateful for the opportunity to offer such care to our patients.”
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