The shoulder consists of a socket and ball joint. The ball is known as the humeral head and belongs to the humerus bone. The socket is known as the glenoid and belongs to the scapula. The humeral head fits directly into the glenoid and touch together when the shoulder moves. The experienced and trusted team at OrthoBethesda in Arlington can assist you with orthopedic care.
What Does a Healthy Shoulder Joint Look Like?
In a healthy shoulder joint, there is plenty of cartilage to protect the bones when touching as they move. Should the healthy joint suffer the loss of cartilage, the pain will present itself when the bones move together.
Shoulders Suffering from Arthritis
One of the most common methods used to treat orthopedic shoulder arthritis is through total shoulder replacement surgery in Arlington, Virginia, at OrthoBethesda. Deciding to undergo such a procedure should not be taken lightly and should only be done so after consulting with a sports medicine surgeon at our hospital center. If you opt for total shoulder replacement surgery, the ball and the socket will be replaced if they have suffered damage leading to problems with the range of motion.
The natural body parts will be replaced by orthopedic implants. These implants are made of metal and durable plastic. The implants are manipulated into shapes that allow the shoulder joint to move the same way it moved when the natural parts will still in the body prior to orthopedic surgery in Arlington.
Procedures Used in Shoulder Surgery
If you have scheduled orthopedic surgery for your surgery following a sports injury at our clinic, it is important that you know how the process will occur. Our surgeons will explain the entire process to you prior to the appointment for surgery.
Anesthesia and Sterilization of the Shoulder
You will be transported to the operating room at the time of your orthopedic appointment. Anesthesia will be administered so that you sleep through the operation. Once the anesthesia sets in, the staff will clean the area to be operated on so that it is sterile.
Incision
The surgeon will then make a six-inch-long incision over the shoulder joint to begin surgery. The incision is made deeper by the surgeon until the bone is exposed through muscle and tissue.
Inserting the Implants
The surgical treatment team in the Virginia hospital operating room will then maneuver the arm until the humeral becomes dislocated from the shoulder socket. The damaged bones and cartilage are removed using special tools during surgery. The socket is then shaped so that it matches the shape of the item implanted into the shoulder. Multiple holes are made to assist with the insertion of the implant.
Once the implant is inserted into the body, a special type of cement will be used to hold it in place. The cement is added to the holes made by the surgeon during treatment and care.
The doctor will then move onto the humeral canal, which needs to be widened in order to make the necessary orthopedic repairs at our Virginia center. The soft bone will be cleared from the canal using special tools. Then, a saw and precision guide is used to remove the damaged portion of the humerus during treatment.
A metal stem implant will be placed into the body to help with your condition after suffering an injury. The surgical professionals will either fit the stem tightly into the opening or use the special cement to get it to stay in one place during these procedures. If the specialists decide to use the cement, it will be inserted into the canal prior to the implant. If the cement is not used, the implant is inserted and put in place by the specialists for proper care.
Closing the Incision
Once the implants have been properly put into place, the doctor will then insert the new ball for the upper arm. The ball will be placed in the socket and then the surgical doctor will adjust the ligaments around the joint to help the patient obtain the best mobility possible.
The multiple layers of tissue cut by the doctor will then be sewn back into place before closing up the wound. A plastic tube is inserted into the area to help remove liquid that has built up during the procedure. The skin is then sewn together to prevent anything from getting into the site of the incision. A clean bandage will be applied to help prevent infection, which can worsen the condition of your injury. You will be moved to a recovery room, where you will spend many hours before beginning physical therapy or being discharged by our doctors.
Recovering from Shoulder Surgery at the Arlington, Virginia OrthoBethesda Center
Once you have been discharged from the orthopedic center in Arlington, Virginia, it is time to begin the recovery process from your conditions. One person might need to stay with you for the first couple of days following surgery if you live alone in Virginia. It will make the process much easier to get used to at home. Be sure to have a shower chair, a detachable showerhead, pump soap, and plastic bags (to cover the incision area while in the shower).
Use ice sporadically to prevent swelling. Use ice every 20 minutes throughout the day for the first three to five days following surgery for proper orthopedic care in Arlington, Virginia. You will be prescribed medication. Make sure you take the medication as prescribed so that it helps reduce swelling, manages the pain, and prevents infection.
Only wear clothing that sits loosely on the upper portion of your body. Loose-fitting clothing will make you more comfortable and not put unnecessary pressure on your wound. Try to wear a bra that closes in the front so it is easier to put on. Wear shoes that can be slipped on so you don’t have to tie them using just one hand.
Follow the exercises provided during physical therapy to ensure that you regain range of motion and mobility after shoulder surgery in Arlington, VA. Injuries are never easy to deal with, which is why you should seek evaluation immediately.
Warning Signs of Possible Complications
The doctors at OrthoBethesda in Arlington, Virginia, advise patients to keep an eye open for possible complications. These include any of the following:
- A fever of 101 or more
- Redness or yellow discharge at the incision site
- Pain that doesn’t respond to medication
- Severe pain
- Sudden pain
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers and hand on the side of the body where the operation took place
Schedule an Appointment with OrthoBethesda Surgeons Today
Have you suffered a shoulder injury due to a car accident in Arlington, Virginia, or because of a sports accident or other types of injuries? If so, it’s best to seek medical evaluation and care as soon as possible from our board-certified professionals. Treatment for your conditions will be handled with the utmost care and respect. Injuries of all kinds to the shoulder can be treated at our hospital center. Call us today at (301) 530-1010 to schedule an appointment for your procedure or for more information.
The health of our patients is our top priority. OrthoBethesda Offers In-Person and Virtual Visits. Please call our office (301) 530-1010 and our telephone triage personnel will help determine:
– what can be treated in our office
– what can be treated with telemedicine
– what may need to go to a hospital emergency department.
In-office appointments are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
All employees, patients, and visitors must wear a face covering and have their temperature recorded prior to entering our facility. These and other Covid 19 precautions are in place to protect our doctors, staff, and our orthopedic patients in Arlington, VA.