Are there any specific risks to this procedure compared to other procedures?
Joint replacements entail a few unique risks.
The implants are made of metal and plastic and can therefore wear over time. This wear usually occurs over the course of many years.
Once you have an implant in place you may have to take antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures. Discuss with your doctor as cases can vary. As a general principle more invasive dental work and patients who are immune compromised often requires pretreatment with antibiotics before dental work.
After you’ve had an implant placed, always be aware of any signs of infection such as warmth, drainage or redness near joint. You want to call your surgeon immediately if you have any of these signs.
How Long Will it Take to Recover?
Each patient has a different definition of what full activity means. Working a desk job is a lot different than working construction. So it is important to consider how you define this for yourself when you are estimating your recovery time.
If you are having a standard shoulder replacement we usually break down the initial recovery into 6 week blocks. The first six weeks you will use a sling and start passive range of motion exercise. The second six weeks you will transition to active range of motion activities with restrictions on lifting. After that time most people transition to resistance activities and lifting.
Most people will be back to full lifting somewhere in the 4–6-month time period after surgery although this s not a hard and fast rule.
Full activity does not necessarily mean full recovery. Studies show that people continue to improve up to 1 year after a shoulder replacement. So, you can continue to expect improvements over time.
Will I set off metal detectors at the airport?
Maybe. But it’s not always the case. Implant companies used to provide the office with cards that you could carry “proving” that you have an implant. However, as airport security has gotten more strict, most security agents do not accept these cards and we do not routinely hand them out. If the implant sets off the alarm, then usually advanced screening (wand) is done.
What materials make up my anatomical total shoulder replacement?
The socket portion of the implant is made of a plastic called polyethylene. The ball part of the joint is replaced with metal ball and stem. The stem will either be cemented in place or “press fit.” A press fit stem has a rough surface to which bone bonds. We rarely use cement these days since technology has improved with time making it less necessary.