Modern shoulder prostheses today offer the possibility of adequate replacement of a severely damaged joint surface. In this way, many of those affected can live an almost normal life.

Note. Shoulder prostheses should only be fitted at designated shoulder centers, since excellent surgical skills are essential for good therapeutic results and in recent years enormous progress has been made in this area.

Instead of a classical shoulder prosthesis, so-called resurfacing may be performed. In contrast to a full prosthesis, this relatively new therapeutic procedure does not involve removal of the complete humeral head, but a special cover is gently attached onto the humeral head. In combination with a cement-free joint socket, an absolutely exact copy of the natural joint anatomy is obtained, which enables optimum mobility for the patient. Even playing golf with no qualms is again possible in many cases with this method. However, since this special implantation technique requires much from the surgeon, the procedure should only be performed by doctors with the relevant experience in suitably specialized centers.


When does an artificial shoulder joint come into consideration?

An artificial shoulder joint can offer a valuable therapeutic option for the following conditions: painful wear and tear of the shoulder joint (arthrosis), necrosis of the humeral head, rheumatic diseases of the joints (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) or fracture of the humeral head.

How long is the hospital stay?

The first hospital stay, during which the artificial shoulder joint is implanted, can be limited to just a few days. Ideally, this is followed by inpatient rehabilitation for three to four weeks in a designated centre specializing in shoulders.

Aftercare involves early functionality without significant immobilization. The first physiotherapeutic measures can already commence on the first day after surgery. And after two weeks, special joint mobility training in water is recommended.