Shoulder Arthritis and Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, loss of motion, weakness and difficulty with everyday activities such as reaching overhead, dressing, lifting, sleeping comfortably and performing work or sporting activities. Arthritis may occur as part of normal wear and tear, after trauma, following instability, in association with rotator cuff disease or as part of inflammatory conditions.
Treatment Options
Shoulder replacement surgery has changed significantly over the last three decades. Reverse shoulder replacement, in particular, has revolutionised the treatment of shoulder arthritis and massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Unlike traditional shoulder replacement, a reverse shoulder replacement does not rely on a functioning rotator cuff in the same way. This has made it a highly effective option for patients with cuff tear arthritis, severe degenerative arthritis, complex fractures and some revision situations.
In appropriately selected patients, modern shoulder replacement can provide excellent pain relief, improved function and reliable outcomes. Implant design, surgical planning, polyethylene technology and fixation methods have all improved substantially, with low revision rates in contemporary practice.
Shoulder replacement may be considered for a range of conditions, including osteoarthritis, cuff tear arthritis, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, inflammatory arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, complex fractures and failed previous surgery. The most appropriate implant depends on the patient’s age, bone quality, rotator cuff function, pattern of arthritis, shoulder stability, activity level and goals.
For younger or more active patients, Dr Ye also performs pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty in selected cases. This is a half-joint replacement that resurfaces the humeral side of the shoulder while preserving the patient’s own socket. The aim is to relieve pain while maintaining soft tissue balance, shoulder movement and a more natural pattern of function. In the right patient, after an initial settling-in period, pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty can provide very good pain relief and functional outcomes while avoiding some of the activity restrictions associated with traditional total joint replacement.
Treatment is always tailored to the individual patient. Non-operative options such as activity modification, physiotherapy, injections and pain management may be appropriate in many cases. When surgery is required, options may include arthroscopic treatment, stabilisation, rotator cuff repair, joint-preserving procedures, hemiarthroplasty, anatomic shoulder replacement or reverse shoulder replacement.
Surgical Planning
In Dr Ye’s practice, shoulder replacement surgery is planned carefully using advanced imaging and computer-based planning. This may include 3D CT-based planning, patient-specific surgical instrumentation and personalised guides for the humeral side of the joint, as well as computer navigation for the glenoid, or socket, side. These technologies help improve accuracy of implant positioning, particularly in patients with deformity, bone loss or complex anatomy.
Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Dr Ye treats shoulder conditions across all age groups, from childhood and adolescent shoulder problems through to adult sporting injuries, instability, rotator cuff disease and arthritis. This includes dysplastic shoulders, recurrent shoulder instability, traumatic injuries, degenerative conditions and complex reconstructive problems.
Risks, Outcomes and Treatment Decisions
As with all joint replacement surgery, shoulder arthroplasty carries risks. These may include infection, stiffness, instability, fracture, nerve injury, loosening, implant wear, persistent pain and the possibility of revision surgery. However, for appropriately selected patients, modern shoulder replacement can provide substantial pain relief and meaningful improvement in quality of life.
Dr Ye will discuss the full range of treatment options and help determine whether non-operative care, arthroscopic surgery, joint-preserving reconstruction, hemiarthroplasty or shoulder replacement is most suitable for each individual patient.