Shoulder arthroplasty is a serious operation that allows you to restore all the functions of the shoulder and returns a person to a full life. After surgery, a rather long rehabilitation period is necessary.
When surgery is needed
The operation is quite serious. It is carried out in case of urgent need, that is, in the presence of such pathologies as:
- necrosis of part of the bone tissue;
- fracture of the upper humerus;
- arthrosis due to injury;
- a fracture of the scapula of a comminuted type, which contributed to the displacement of the head of the humerus;
- rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, arthroplasty is indicated for congenital underdevelopment of the shoulder bones. The service life of the prosthesis is fifteen to twenty years.
Preparation for surgery
Before the operation, a preparatory stage is required. It includes generalblood test, as well as a study of the heart by ECG. At this stage, blood is taken from the patient to determine the presence or absence of syphilis and HIV viruses, and an x-ray of the affected joint is taken in several projections.
In some cases, a CT scan may be needed. It will allow you to verify the correctness of the diagnosis or the exclusion of the presence of one.
To prevent the risk of infectious diseases after prosthetics, it is recommended to cure carious formations in the teeth some time before the expected date, as well as get rid of fungal diseases, wounds, abrasions, pustular formations on the surface of the skin. It is very important to take care of your he alth in order to prevent the exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Features of the operation
The endoprosthesis is selected in strict accordance with the age of the person. The nature of the disease and the presence of comorbidities are taken into account.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. First of all, doctors make an incision through which a part of the humerus that has lost its ability to perform its functions is removed. Then, the articular surfaces are thoroughly cleaned from tissues that have undergone destruction, after which the bone canal is drilled.
The next step is the installation of a shoulder joint prosthesis. First, the legs of the artificial bone are inserted into the drilled holes, after which the head of the prosthesis is fixed. After successfullyonce the implant is placed, the rotator cuff returns to its original position.
The prosthesis can be fixed in two ways: through the use of a special substance and through tight hammering into the bone canal.
Views
There are several types of operations, each of which has its own distinctive features:
- Surface arthroplasty, which is the removal of only the damaged cartilage layer from the damaged area. Then the removed area is replaced with an artificial analogue. The bone itself remains intact.
- Single-pole prosthetics of the shoulder joint, in which a partial replacement of the problem area is made. The most common replacement is the humeral head.
- Revision arthroplasty is a surgical operation, the main purpose of which is to replace the old element with a new one.
- Total, in which the entire shoulder joint is removed. Restoration of functions becomes possible after prosthetics.
The doctor determines which type of arthroplasty is most suitable, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient and the condition of his shoulder joint.
Rehabilitation period
After shoulder replacement, rehabilitation lasts quite a long time. In the first few daysafter the operation, the area of the arm that has undergone surgical intervention is securely fixed. At this time, any sudden movements and physical activity are strictly prohibited. To ease the intensity of pain and relieve inflammation, the patient is given antibacterial and painkillers for the first few days.
On the second day after surgery, the doctor shows the person under observation a set of exercises aimed at developing the mobility of the shoulder joint prosthesis. If even slight pain occurs, the exercise stops.
In the future, passive loads, and then exercise therapy can be carried out on simulators. When performing, it is important to take into account the advice of a doctor and strictly follow his recommendations. The sutures are removed ten days after the procedure. In some cases, the manipulation is carried out only on the fourteenth day after the installation of the endoprosthesis.
The entire course of rehabilitation lasts from one to six months. The duration of the recovery period depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, the state of he alth, and also on what caused the loss of the functions of the shoulder joint. In some cases, with serious injuries, the result of the operation may not meet expectations.
It is very important to visit a doctor regularly throughout the rehabilitation. At each appointment, the specialist evaluates the condition of the patient and the joint, and, if necessary, makes adjustments to the recovery system.
Possible Complications
Complications can occur after any surgical intervention. They can manifest as an allergic reaction to anesthesia, as well as problems with the cardiovascular system.
In rare cases, it is possible to attach bacterial infections. In such a situation, additional surgery may be necessary. In addition, there is a risk of dislocation of the implant. To prevent, a set of special exercises to strengthen muscles is recommended.
Reviews
Most patients respond positively to shoulder arthroplasty. According to them, the operation allows you to restore the lost functions of the shoulder joint and return to normal life. Patients note that careful adherence to the recommendations of the attending physician will help speed up recovery and prevent the occurrence of complications. If you do not neglect the advice of specialists, the duration of rehabilitation can be reduced to two to three months.
Instead of a conclusion
Shoulder arthroplasty is a major surgical operation. It is carried out in special cases when the function of the upper arm is significantly impaired, which negatively affects the level and quality of human life.
There is no single answer to the question of where it is better to do shoulder joint arthroplasty. It is worth giving preference to a specialist whose qualifications are confirmed by many years of experience and good patient reviews. The success of the surgical intervention and the likelihood of postoperative complications depend on the actions of the doctor.complications.
There is no exact answer to the question of how much a shoulder replacement costs. The average price for an operation ranges from 140 to 160 thousand rubles.
Patient reviews are mostly positive. Most people who have a diseased joint replaced with a prosthesis note a significant improvement in quality and life and the ability to return to a normal life.
After shoulder arthroplasty, the patient needs a long rehabilitation period, the success and duration of which depends on whether the patient will follow all the advice and recommendations of the attending physician.
