Inverse/Reverse Shoulder Replacement
The normal shoulder replacement replaces the anatomy of the shoulder with a plastic socket for the glenoid and a metal ball that is attached to a pin that is inserted down the shaft of the humerus. In certain situations where the arthritis is caused by a chronic rotator cuff rupture and the patient has an apparent paralysis of the arm because of the absent rotator cuff a normal shoulder replacement is unable to cope in this situation. A newer shoulder replacement design has been made available in the UK since 1999. The basic design has been changed so that a metal ball is attached to the glenoid and a plastic socket is inserted in the pain that goes down the shaft of the humerus. This is called a reversed or inverse shoulder replacement. This procedure is now becoming standard in Mr Jacobs's practice for this type of specialised shoulder arthritis situation that is secondary to a chronic rupture of the rotator cuff. The early to medium-term results following this surgery with regards to pain relief and shoulder function.
