A good candidate for arthritis surgery is a patient experiencing severe joint pain who has not found relief through non-surgical treatments. Such individuals may consider surgery to improve their quality of life.

The main types of arthritis surgeries available are arthroscopy, total shoulder replacement, and reverse shoulder replacement. Each of these procedures aims to relieve pain and improve joint function.

Robotic-assisted surgery significantly improves outcomes by enhancing precision during procedures, which leads to reduced recovery times and better overall surgical results.

Physical and occupational therapy plays a crucial role in arthritis treatment by enhancing flexibility, strength, and range of motion in affected joints. These therapies are essential for effective rehabilitation and management of symptoms.

To prepare for arthritis surgery, gather your personal and medical information, complete any required preoperative tests, maintain clear communication with your healthcare team, and adhere to specific dietary and hygiene instructions. This thorough preparation will contribute significantly to a successful surgery outcome.

Shoulder arthroplasty is a complex procedure, which requires a great amount of cutting of deep tissues and bone. The surgeon takes great care to eliminate pain with appropriate analgesia both immediately after surgery and during the rehabilitation process. A long acting local anesthetic infused around the nerves of the joint is often used with general anesthesia during surgery. These regional blocks will provide several hours of pain relief even after a patient has emerged from general anesthesia. A patient-controlled intravenous infusion pump (PCA) is used in the early postoperative period for pain control. By the second or third day after surgery, oral pain relief medication is adequate through the early rehabilitation period (4-6 weeks). 

The time it takes to return to normal activity varies greatly from patient to patient. Most individuals have less pain at night or at rest in the first 2-4 weeks after surgery. Pain with activity persists longer, but generally decreases as the strength and function of the shoulder muscles improve. Full recovery usually takes 4-6 months. 

Long-term studies show that 85-90% of total shoulder replacements are functioning well ten years after implantation, and 75-85% are doing well fifteen years after surgery. Over time, current advances in materials and techniques should improve these percentages even more.