Shoulder replacement surgery removes damaged areas of the shoulder and replaces them with metal and plastic implants through arthroplasty. The procedure can relieve your pain, improve strength, increase your range of motion, and enable you to use your shoulder and arm.
At Kimball Health Services, we offer advanced shoulder replacement at our state-of-the-art facility in Kimball, NE. Dr. Jeffery MacMillan and Karen Wenner, APRN, DNP understand how shoulder pain can limit your arm usage. Therefore, our shoulder replacement surgery is focused on alleviating your symptoms to help improve mobility and quality of life.
Your shoulder joint is made up of bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments and can perform a greater range of motion than any other joint. Bones of the shoulder joint include:
The round head of the upper arm bone, called the ball, fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade. The clavicle attaches your shoulder to the rib cage and also connects with the shoulder blade at the acromioclavicular joint.
Damage to the shoulder joint may cause pain, weakness, and stiffness, resulting in problems in the movement of the arms and shoulder.
A shoulder replacement may be required depending on the size and location of the damage, your age, the duration of symptoms, and the limitation of the range of motion.
Dr. MacMillan may recommend shoulder replacement surgery to relieve pain and other symptoms due to damage to the shoulder joint.
Your shoulder joint can get damaged from the following conditions:
Based on the type of joint damage you have, Dr. MacMillan recommends shoulder replacement options.
Dr. MacMillan will evaluate your shoulder before your surgery is scheduled. The evaluation may involve reviewing your symptoms, physical examination, and X-rays of the affected area.
Our orthopedic team will inform you what you need to do to prepare for surgery. We will ask you about your medical history in order to determine which medications to avoid or continue. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the surgery and recovery process.
Shoulder replacement takes about three hours, including the time required for the effects of anesthesia to wear off. Dr. MacMillan utilizes MicroPort Orthopedic products in his joint replacement surgeries.
You may be asked not to eat or drink for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure. Follow the instructions of our orthopedic team regarding medicines you can take prior to the procedure.
Once you arrive for the surgery, our team will inform you about the type of anesthesia you will be given during the procedure. Patients mainly get general anesthesia and a nerve block to minimize pain.
During the procedure, Dr. MacMillan makes an incision over the shoulder to remove damaged bone and cartilage, leaving healthy bone intact. He then implants the replacement parts into the shoulder.
Once the procedure is complete, you will be taken to the recovery area to wait for anesthesia to wear off. Our team will monitor your condition and may take X-rays in some cases. You will be asked to keep the dressing intact. Since your dressing is sealed, it will allow you to bathe.
The dressing will typically be removed at your first follow-up appointment, which will be scheduled 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
The recovery period depends on the type of surgery you had and may require several follow-up visits. Dr. MacMillan will also inform you of specific precautions to take and the limitations of physical activity.
You may be asked to avoid physical activities that involve lifting, pushing, or stretching your affected arm. Please talk to the doctor to know about when you can start driving.
You may have to wear your arms in a sling for most of your recovery. Dr. MacMillan will likely recommend physical therapy to gradually improve the function and mobility of your new joints.
At Kimball Health Services, we take a patient-focused approach to help you regain mobility and alleviate symptoms so you can enjoy a better quality of life.
As one of the top critical access hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call us at 308-235-1966 or fill out our online form. We're here for you whenever you need us.
