Shoulder Replacement
What is Shoulder Replacement?
Shoulder replacement, or shoulder arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the damaged parts of the shoulder joint (the humeral head and/or glenoid) with artificial implants. It’s typically performed to treat severe arthritis or complex fractures. In India, shoulder replacement is conducted in orthopedic departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Shoulder Replacement?
Shoulder replacement is indicated for:
- Severe arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear of the joint cartilage (common in older adults).
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammatory joint damage.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: After injury (e.g., fracture, dislocation).
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy:
- Arthritis with a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear.
- Complex fractures:
- Proximal humerus fractures not amenable to fixation (e.g., in elderly patients).
- Failed previous surgery:
- Persistent pain or dysfunction after fracture fixation or rotator cuff repair.
- Types:
- Total shoulder replacement (TSR): Replaces both humeral head and glenoid.
- Reverse shoulder replacement (RSR): Reverses the ball-and-socket (for rotator cuff tear arthropathy).
- Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty): Replaces only the humeral head.
The procedure aims to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and restore shoulder function by replacing the damaged joint with a prosthetic implant.
Why Do Shoulder Replacement Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Hemiarthroplasty (₹1.5–2.5 lakh); TSR or RSR (₹2.5–4 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹2.5–4 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced orthopedic surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Implants (₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh), anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), physiotherapy (₹10,000–₹30,000 for 3–6 months).
- Insurance: Covered for functional issues (e.g., pain, limited motion); confirm with your provider.
Shoulder Replacement Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- X-ray/CT: Assesses joint damage, bone loss, and deformity.
- MRI: Evaluates rotator cuff integrity (important for choosing TSR vs. RSR).
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile.
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe.
- Consent: Risks, including dislocation, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Shoulder Replacement:
- Performed under general anesthesia with a regional nerve block (e.g., interscalene block), lasting 1.5–3 hours.
- Incision: 10–15 cm over the front of the shoulder (deltopectoral approach).
- Joint preparation:
- Damaged humeral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem and ball.
- Glenoid (socket) is resurfaced with a plastic (polyethylene) component (TSR) or left intact (hemiarthroplasty).
- In RSR: The ball is placed on the glenoid side, and the socket on the humerus, to compensate for rotator cuff deficiency.
- Implants are secured with bone cement or press-fit (cementless) techniques.
- Incision closed with sutures; a sling is applied.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Fluoroscopy: Ensures proper implant positioning.
- Prosthetic implants: Humeral stem, ball, and glenoid component (e.g., titanium, polyethylene).
- Nerve block: Reduces post-op pain.
- Shoulder Replacement:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 2–5 days.
- Care: Sling for 4–6 weeks; ice and elevation to reduce swelling.
- Pain management: Moderate pain for 5–7 days; managed with analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, tramadol).
- Instructions: Avoid active shoulder motion for 4–6 weeks; start passive physiotherapy within 1–2 days.
Recovery After Shoulder Replacement
- Hospital Stay: 2–5 days.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Peaks at 3–7 days; ice and elevation help; resolves in 2–4 weeks.
- Sling: Worn for 4–6 weeks to protect the joint.
- Physiotherapy:
- Phase 1 (0–6 weeks): Passive range of motion (e.g., pendulum exercises).
- Phase 2 (6–12 weeks): Active-assisted motion and light strengthening.
- Phase 3 (3–6 months): Strengthening and functional training.
- Activity: Avoid lifting heavy objects (>5 kg) for 6 months; normal daily activities (e.g., dressing) in 2–3 months.
- Driving: Resume at 6–8 weeks if pain-free and off narcotics.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week, 2 weeks (suture removal), 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
- X-ray: At 6 weeks, 3 months to check implant stability.
Most resume normal activities in 3–6 months; full recovery takes 6–12 months. Success rate: 85–90% achieve significant pain relief and improved function; RSR outcomes may vary (80% satisfaction for rotator cuff tear arthropathy).
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Infection (1–3%): Superficial or deep; treated with antibiotics, may need revision surgery.
- Bleeding (1–2%): Hematoma; may need drainage.
- Nerve injury (1–2%): Axillary nerve damage causing numbness/weakness; usually temporary.
- Post-Surgery:
- Dislocation (2–5%, higher in RSR): Implant displacement; may need closed reduction or revision.
- Implant loosening (2–5% over 10 years): May need revision surgery.
- Stiffness (5–10%): Limited motion; managed with physiotherapy.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT, <1%): Blood clot; prevented with early mobilization.
- Long-Term:
- Implant wear (5–10% over 15–20 years): Polyethylene component may wear out; may need revision.
- Rotator cuff failure (2–5%, TSR): May lead to pain or instability; RSR avoids this issue.
Report severe pain, swelling, fever, or sudden loss of motion promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What conditions require shoulder replacement?
Severe arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid), rotator cuff tear arthropathy, or complex humerus fractures.
Can I avoid shoulder replacement?
Yes, if mild: Physiotherapy, injections, or arthroscopy; replacement is for severe pain or dysfunction.
Is shoulder replacement painful?
Moderate pain for 5–7 days, managed with medication; discomfort reduces in 2–4 weeks.
How soon can I resume activities?
Daily activities: 2–3 months; full recovery: 6–12 months; avoid heavy lifting for 6 months.
Is shoulder replacement covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for functional issues; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Severe pain, swelling, fever, or sudden loss of motion.
How long will the implant last?
15–20 years in 80–90% of cases; depends on activity level and implant type.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid overhead sports, follow physiotherapy, limit heavy lifting, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Shoulder replacement is an effective procedure to relieve pain and restore function in severe shoulder conditions, with a high success rate. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, typically covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult an orthopedic surgeon for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Shoulder replacement
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ajmer |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Aligarh |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Allahabad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Amritsar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Aurangabad |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bangalore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Bareilly |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Belgaum |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhopal |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bikaner |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Chennai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dehradun |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Delhi |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Durgapur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Faridabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Guntur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Guwahati |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gwalior |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Indore |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jabalpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Jaipur |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jamshedpur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jodhpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kanpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kochi |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kolkata |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kollam |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Lucknow |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Madurai |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Mangalore |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Meerut |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Moradabad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Mumbai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Mysore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Nagpur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Nashik |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Noida |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Patna |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Pune |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Raipur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Rajkot |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ranchi |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Surat |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Thane |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Vadodara |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Varanasi |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.