Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Spring 2019

citizensmemorial.com 13 If you decide to have shoulder replacement surgery, your surgeon will most likely remove the damaged parts of your shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint and replace them with new metal and plastic parts. Or he or she may replace just the ball part of the joint. It will depend on the condition of your shoulder. After shoulder replacement surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days. Full recovery can take up to six months. Additional source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ORTHOPAEDICS Shoulder painmaking youmiserable? It may be time to replace that achy joint » » Getting help with daily tasks. Since your arm will be in a protective sling for a few weeks, you’ll need help with tasks such as dressing and cooking. Ask your doctor when it’s safe to drive. Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons After shoulder replacement surgery, one of the best things you can do is to follow your health team’s advice for a healthy recovery, such as: » » Avoiding movements that could injure your shoulder. That includes using your arm to push yourself up from bed or lifting anything heavier than a glass of water. Recovery advice » » Doing physical therapy and home exercises. Exercising will help your shoulder get flexible and strong. If you’ve been putting up with severe shoulder pain, you might wish you could just get a new shoulder and get back to living your life again. The good news: That may be more than wishful thinking. While it isn’t as well-known as knee or hip replacement surgery, shoulder replacement surgery is an option in certain situations. And it works just as well at relieving joint pain as hip or knee replacement, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Severe arthritis is one reason to consider shoulder replacement surgery. Over time, arthritis can damage the cushioning cartilage within a joint so severely that bones begin to rub against bones. The result: a painful, stiff shoulder. Fractures and certain severe shoulder injuries (unusually large or long-lasting rotator cuff tears) are some other reasons a shoulder might be replaced. If you have shoulder pain due to arthritis or another problem, your doctor will most likely want you to try conservative treatments, like physical therapy or steroid medication. If these things don’t work, shoulder replacement surgery may be recommended, especially if, for instance: » » Shoulder pain limits your daily activities, like getting dressed, using a toilet or bathing. » » Your shoulder hurts even when you rest, and it keeps you awake at night. » » Your shoulder is weak and hard to move. Why How MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! Don’t let shoulder pain bring you down. Make an appointment with one of our orthopaedic surgeons at CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center. Call 417-777-2663 .