Endoprosthetics of the shoulder joint 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 fairly 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 pathologies such as:
- necrosis of a part of bone tissue;
- fracture of the upper humerus;
- arthrosis resulting from trauma;
- fracture of the comminuted scapula, which contributed to the displacement of the head of the humerus;
- arthritis of a rheumatoid type.
In addition, endoprosthetics are indicated for congenital underdevelopment of the bones of the shoulder. The life of the prosthesis is fifteen to twenty years.
Preparation for surgery
Before the operation, the preparatory phase is mandatory. It includes a general blood test, as well as an examination 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, as well as radiography of the affected joint in several projections.
In some cases, computed tomography may be needed. It will make sure the diagnosis is correct or exclude the presence of one.
To prevent the risk of infectious diseases after the operation of the 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, pustules on the surface of the skin. It is very important to take good care of your health in order to prevent an 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 concomitant pathologies are taken into account.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. First of all, doctors make an incision through which part of the humerus, which has lost the ability to perform its functions, is removed. Then, thorough cleansing of the articular surfaces of the tissues that have undergone destruction is carried out, after which a bone canal is drilled.
The next step is the installation of the prosthesis of the shoulder joint. First, the legs of the artificial bone are inserted into the drilled holes, after which the prosthesis head is fixed. After successful installation of the implant, the rotational cuff returns to its original position.
The prosthesis can be fixed in two ways: by using a special substance and by tightly pumping it into the bone canal.
Kinds
There are several types of operations, each of which has its own distinctive features:
- Superficial arthroplasty, which is the removal of only the damaged cartilage layer from the damaged area. Then, the remote site is replaced with an artificial analogue. The bone itself remains untouched.
- Unipolar prosthetics of the shoulder joint, in which a partial replacement of the problem area is performed. Most often, the humeral head is replaced.
- 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. The 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 days after the operation, the area of the arm that underwent surgery is firmly fixed. At this time, any sharp movements and the exercise of 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 mobility of the prosthesis of the shoulder joint. When even slight pain appears, the exercise stops.
Subsequently, 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. Sutures are removed after ten days after the procedure. In some cases, manipulation is carried out only on the fourteenth day after the installation of the endoprosthesis.
The entire rehabilitation course lasts from one to six months. The duration of the recovery period depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, state of health, as well as on what caused the loss of function of the shoulder joint. In some cases, with serious injuries, the result of the operation may not live up to expectations.
It is very important to visit a doctor regularly throughout rehabilitation. The specialist at each appointment evaluates the condition of the patient and the joint, if necessary, makes adjustments to the recovery system.
Possible complications
Complications can occur after any surgery. They can manifest as an allergic reaction to anesthesia, as well as in the form of problems with the cardiovascular system.
In rare cases, it is possible to attach infections of a bacterial nature. In such a situation, an additional operation may be necessary. In addition, there is a risk of implant dislocation. To prevent, a set of special exercises to strengthen muscles is recommended.
Reviews
Most patients respond positively to shoulder joint replacement. According to them, the operation allows you to restore the lost function 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 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 endoprosthesis replacement is a serious 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.
To the question of where it is better to do shoulder replacement, there is no single answer. Preference should be given to a specialist whose qualification is 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.
There is no exact answer to the question of how much shoulder joint replacement costs. The average price of an operation ranges from 140 to 160 thousand rubles.
Patient reviews are mostly positive. Most people who have been replaced with a prosthesis for a painful joint notice a significant improvement in quality and life and the ability to return to normal.
After shoulder joint replacement, the patient needs a long rehabilitation period, the success and duration of which depends on whether the patient will comply with all the advice and recommendations of the attending physician.