Shoulder Replacement

The shoulder has a wider range of motion than any other joint, which increases your risk of pain and injury. At his orthopedic clinic in Munster, Indiana, Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., performs multiple shoulder replacement techniques to relieve pain and restore function in your shoulder. Call the office or book an appointment online today to determine if shoulder replacement is right for you.

What is shoulder replacement?

Shoulder replacement removes damaged or diseased components of bone and tissue and replaces them with implants. Dr. Pandhi can replace any part of the shoulder to relieve pain and improve function.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with a wide range of motion. It’s the only joint in the human body with nearly 360 degrees of motion. The top of the humerus (upper arm bone) connects to the scapula (shoulder blade) to form a socket. 

Without stability, the shoulder joint can shift out of place. A rotator cuff is a group of tissues that secures the joint.

Sports injuries and degenerative conditions can affect any part of the shoulder. Replacement surgery repairs these components with durable metal or plastic.

Are there different shoulder replacement techniques?

Dr. Pandhi uses two types of shoulder replacement techniques:

Arthroscopic surgery

Arthroscopic surgery allows Dr. Pandhi to perform shoulder replacement through small incisions. An arthroscope is a thin tube with a camera attached at the end. The camera displays real-time images on an outside video monitor, so that Dr. Pandhi can see the structures inside the joint. 

He inserts the arthroscope and thin surgical instruments to replace the joint with durable implant materials.

Robotic joint replacement

Robotic joint replacement plans and performs your procedure with robotic assistance. The Mako SmartRobotics™ system uses computed tomography (CT) scans to build a 3D model of your joint. Dr. Pandhi then plans your treatment in the Mako software. During surgery, he makes small incisions in your skin and uses a robotic arm for expert precision.

After a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Pandhi can decide which surgical technique is right for you.

Who is a candidate for shoulder replacement?

Dr. Pandhi may recommend shoulder replacement surgery if you:

• Have shoulder weakness
• Struggle with persistent pain
• Have limited range of motion in your shoulder
• Can’t sleep comfortably because of pain

If you still experience symptoms after arthroscopic surgery, a total shoulder replacement may be necessary to improve your function.

What conditions can shoulder replacement treat?

Shoulder replacement can help treat many conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Rotator cuff injury
• Osteonecrosis (tissue death)

Call Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., today or book an appointment online to learn more about shoulder replacement surgery.