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Total Shoulder Joint Replacement: Three Physical Therapy Techniques to do after the surgery

 Shoulder joint replacement is not as frequent as knee or hip replacement, but it is also fruitful in relieving joint pain. This surgery was first executed in the United States in  1950. Over time, the use of shoulder joint replacement surgery is increased in the treatment of several painful conditions like arthritis. 


This surgery is suggested when the medications and other treatments are no longer supportive. It is the safest and valid procedure to diminish the pain and promote everyday activities. This surgery involves the removal of the injured area of bone and reinstations of those parts with metal and plastic. Damage shoulder is the source of pain, weakness, and stiffness. Shoulder arthroplasty is another name for shoulder joint replacement. 

What is total shoulder joint replacement?

The name is indicating the replacement and that replacement is of the shoulder joint portion. The substitute for that replacement is artificial implants. These artificial implants are beneficial for reducing joint pain and reviving the range of motion along with joint mobility.  

Why the people opt to do a shoulder replacement?

The prime purpose of this surgery is to alleviate the pain and other symptoms which arose from the damage of the shoulder. The damage can occur from shoulder arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis. In all of this arthritis, the cartilage is affected. With cartilage, the overlapping bones in the joint comfortably glide against each other. If the cartilage fades away, the overlapping bones come into direct contact. This direct contact increases the friction causing bones to become rough and damaged. The movement of bone with another bone is very much painful. Thus doctor recommends the placement of artificial implants in the shoulder joint to regain pain-free movement, and strength.  

Which conditions lead to arthritis?

There are several conditions that might lead to arthritis, and these are:

  1. Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy
  2. Fracture of the shoulder
  3. Post-traumatic Arthritis
  4. Avascular Necrosis

Indications of Shoulder Joint Replacement:

The doctor might recommend the shoulder joint replacement because of the presence of shoulder arthritis. If that shoulder arthritis is not treated with other non-surgical treatments, then the final option is shoulder joint replacement. The patient can have the following symptoms which indicate the surgery:
  • Serious shoulder pain that inhibits performing the daily activities .i.e. dressing, washing, going into the cabinet, and toilet. 
  • Severe pain that is disturbing the good sleep of a patient. 
  • Presence of mild to severe pain during rest.
  • And finally, if all these mentioned conditions are not improving with medications, cortisone injections, and physical therapy.

Complications of Shoulder Joint Replacement:

Luckily there are very rare complications of this surgery .i.e less than 5%. There are very much fewer cases of nerve damage, artery damage, and infections. Some parts of the surgical implants lose from the bone over time because of the enormous use of the arm, and in these cases, revision surgery is recommended. 


What to do after the surgery?

After the shoulder joint replacement, the patient enters into the rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program must be careful, and well planned as it is very much important for the success of shoulder joint replacement. It can be of six to one year depending on the condition of a patient. The rehabilitation program also contains physical therapy to increase the strength and flexibility of the shoulder. 

Physiotherapy after Total Shoulder Replacement:

Physiotherapy benefits the patient in improving the shoulder's range of motion, strength along with minimizing the pain. At first, the physiotherapist does an initial evaluation. In that evaluation, he asks some questions from the patient .i.e about his lifestyle, shoulder, and medical history. He also performs some tests to measure the pain, range of motion, strength, functional measurement. The PT also does palpation and assesses the surgical scar tissue.  
After examining that, the PT will make a plan of care and set the goal. The goal is to diminish the pain, and bring back the strength and range of motion so that patient can perform normal daily activities. 

 Therapeutic Modalities during Physical Therapy:

The physiotherapist uses several modalities to better the circulation and manage the pain following the shoulder replacement.  These modalities are:

Heating Pad: The heating pad gives heat to the body. Heat will relax the muscles as well as decrease the pain. The heat also boosts the blood flow to the tissue of the shoulder. 

Ice or Cold Pad: Icing is beneficial in controlling swelling, inflammation, and declining pain. 

Kinesiology Tape: Kinesiology tape or K -tape also decreases the pain and swelling and makes better the muscular function of the shoulder. 

Electrical Stimulation: Electrical stimulation also functions to decrease pain. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is another form of electrical stimulation that helps the muscles to contract correctly. 


Physical therapy techniques after shoulder  joint dislocation:

There are several techniques that physical therapists use to enhance joint mobility and strength after total shoulder joint replacement. These techniques are:
  1. Manual Resistance Exercise
  2. Manual Joint Range of Motion Techniques
  3. Scar Tissue Massage  

Exercise Program After the Total Shoulder Joint Replacement:

Exercises are the basis of rehabilitation programs in the patient after total shoulder replacement. Some of these exercises are: 
  1. Pendulums
  2. Shoulder Active Range of Motion Exercises
  3. Function-specific Exercises
  4. Range of Motion Wand Exercises
  5. strengthening Exercises with a Resistance Band or Weight
  6. Isometric Shoulder Exercises

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