Recovery Process After A Shoulder Replacement

If you were to injure your shoulder, you may need surgery to help repair it. In our shoulder, our upper arm has a ball and socket joint that connects it to our body. Ligaments and tendons hold it together, connecting the bones and muscles. This ball and socket joint we have allows us to move our arms up and down and side to side freely. If you need shoulder replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will replace the natural bone in the ball and socket joint with metal or plastic. This surgery will require a long recovery process. If you are looking for the best shoulder replacement surgeon in NYC, Dr. David Altchek, MD, can give you the treatment you need. Dr. Altchek is a talented orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. He has dedicated his career to perfecting innovative shoulder injury treatment techniques and has years of experience in medical services!

 

Types of Shoulder Surgeries

There are three different types of shoulder replacement surgery:

 

Total Shoulder Replacement– This is the most common type of shoulder replacement surgery. The doctor will replace the ball at the top of your humerus with a metal ball, attaching it to the remaining bone. The socket then gets covered with a new plastic surface. 

Partial Shoulder Replacement– Only the ball in your shoulder gets replaced.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement– You would get this surgery if you have a torn rotator cuff or if another shoulder replacement surgery did not work. The doctor will attach the metal ball to your shoulder bones, and a socket will be implanted at the top of your arm.

 

Why You Would Need Shoulder Replacement Surgery

If you are suffering from a shoulder condition, your doctor will treat you with prescribed drugs and physical therapy. If this does not work, then you would most likely be recommended to get surgery. Reasons for needing a shoulder replacement include:

 

• A broken bone.
• Severe Arthritis.
• A torn rotator cuff.

 

Recovery

After your surgery, you will most likely be able to go home the same day. Expect to feel pain and swelling; your doctor will provide drugs to help manage the pain and ice to help ease the swelling. You will first be wearing a brace, and once you start physical therapy, it’ll be easier to move it. The doctor will suggest you do physical therapy in your home to gradually improve the joints. It will take time, and for some, it can take almost up to four weeks to even pick up a glass of water. The recovery process usually takes about six weeks, and you will be in a sling for most of that time. Your doctor will ensure checkups throughout the year after your surgery to make sure everything is going okay with your recovery. Most patients come out of surgery with full motion in their shoulders. However, after years of use, the replacement joint can become loose and ultimately separate from the bone. This would require another surgery.

 

Why Should You Choose Dr. Altchek?

Our shoulders stabilize some of the most flexible joints in our body. They are what allow you to perform big movements. It’s important to know what doctor is best to use for shoulder treatment. Dr. Altchek is a second-generation orthopedic physician and Co-Chief Emeritus at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is one of the lead consultants to the NBA and is a top doctor for many professional athletes. If you are looking for the best shoulder replacement surgeon in NYC, Dr. David Altchek, MD, specializes in several services to aid patients:

 

• Arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, and elbow
• UCL Reconstruction- Docking Procedure
• ACL Reconstruction
• Total Shoulder Replacement
• Total Knee Replacement
• Shoulder instability treatment

 

Shoulder Injury Services:

Dr. Altchek will sit down with you and find a treatment plan that works best for you. He has decades of experience diagnosing and treating shoulder conditions in many individuals. His shoulder injury services include:

 

• Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
• Total Joint Replacement of the Shoulder
• Shoulder Instability Surgery
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement

 

Schedule An Appointment with Dr. Altchek

For athletes, shoulder injuries are not exactly a rare occurrence. More than 50,000 shoulder replacements are done in the US each year. If you are experiencing this, you don’t have to live with shoulder pain, limited mobility, or impaired performance. Dr. Altchek is one of the best-known doctors in New York. He will take time to evaluate your needs and make an adjustment for you to get you back to feeling your best! 

 

Dr. Altchek is committed to providing top-notch care to anyone who needs his services. If you are looking for the best shoulder replacement surgeon in NYC, contact Dr. David Altchek, MD, and get the help you need!