Shoulder replacement

Your shoulder is comprised of a ball (humerus bone) and a socket (glenoid). This joint is surrounded by a group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. When the bones, socket or rotator cuff get injured or torn, it can lead to pain and loss of function. For example, if you have an overuse injury or chronic condition, your cartilage may be worn down so much that you experience painful bone-to-bone contact. To fix this, shoulder replacement surgery replaces the damaged portions of your shoulder's joint with prosthetics.

We offer surgeries that replace the ball or both the ball and the socket. No treatment plan is one-size-fits-all, so we design our strategy based on what is right for you and you alone.

Total shoulder replacement

Shoulder arthritis typically affects your entire joint. Since total shoulder replacement surgery addresses your entire joint, it is historically the most common procedure used to treat unmanageable shoulder arthritis. During the procedure, both the ball and socket are replaced, and the damaged cartilage is removed. In most instances, the ball is replaced with a metal prosthetic and the socket is replaced with plastic. We also provide alternatives to metal and plastic prostheses if you have allergies to nickel, plastic or the implant fixation product (sometimes called "bone cement").

Partial shoulder replacement

A partial shoulder replacement, or, hemiarthroplasty, is when only the head of your joint is replaced. It may be recommended when only the ball side of the joint is damaged, which is what typically occurs from an injury or acute condition. This type of procedure is usually considered if your socket is basically still in good condition.

Reverse total shoulder replacement

While a total shoulder replacement replaces the ball and socket in their current positions, a reverse total shoulder replacement places them in opposite positions. This strategy is used when certain fractures or damaged rotator cuff tendons make a standard total shoulder replacement impossible or impractical.

Whether you are seeing our shoulder surgeons at OrthoONE at Swedish Medical Center or at OrthoONE at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, you will be treated by board-certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in general orthopedics, sports medicine and a variety of surgical treatments, including minimally invasive procedures. With decades of experience to draw from, these surgeons provide full-service shoulder care and perform total shoulder replacements, reverse shoulder replacements, fracture treatments and rotator cuff repairs.