Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

This technique replaces the damaged or diseased head of the humerus and cartilage from the shoulder joint with a metal and plastic joint. This also utilizes the deltoid muscle for elevating the shoulder when the rotator cuff is chronically torn.  First, the surgeon removes the head of the humerus. Next, the shoulder socket, also called the glenoid, is reshaped and smoothed. The metal baseplate is fixated to the glenoid with compression and locking screws. A metal ball is then placed onto the baseplate in a reversed fashion. Next the upper portion of the humerus is hollowed so the metal stem can be placed. Once the metal stem is in place and secured a polyethyele (plastic liner) is inserted in to the stem to rotate around the glenosphere. Lastly, the repaired humerus and glenoid components are joined to form the new shoulder joint.