If I am told I need a shoulder replacement for my arthritis, how do I know that there are no other options?

This is a common question----because if you are having pain, and your xray shows arthritis, your doctor may instinctively assume that your pain is coming from the joint. However, this may not be entirely true---which is why it is so important to undergo a thorough and thoughtful exam. If you have reasonable motion, but you have pain as you reach above shoulder level, your symptoms may be coming from your biceps tendon or rotator cuff.

If this is the case, a little PT(physical therapy)  and a corticosteroid injection may help---and at least in the short term, you may feel better. The point is---we never want to "treat the xray."  I recently saw a patient who was told that she needed a replacement, and that neither PT nor a steroid injection would help. Based on my experience, this is not ideal advice------as we really can't predict whether these interventions will or will not help. It's worth emphasizing that Shoulder Replacement Surgery is "Elective"---thus you should feel completely empowered as to when you decide to proceed.

Visit the link below for more information about the role for Arthroscopic debridement in cases of arthritis. So--before coming to the conclusion that your arthritic shoulder needs a replacement, you may want to consider PT and a cortisone shot. And, if your motion is acceptable, but pain is the problem, you may even be a candidate for minimally invasive arthroscopy, as an alternative to replacement.

http://www.rearmyourself.com/article/Arthroscopic-Debridement-as%20an-alternative%20to%20arthroplasty

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