Anatomic Total Shoulder Replacement

Understanding the Shoulder Joint

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that allows you to raise, rotate, and move your arm through a wide range of motion. The head of the upper arm bone (humerus) forms the ball, and a shallow socket in the shoulder blade (glenoid) forms the socket. Smooth cartilage covers both surfaces, allowing the joint to glide with little friction.

In an arthritic shoulder, that cartilage wears away, leaving bone rubbing directly on bone. This causes pain, stiffness, and a gradual loss of motion as the joint surfaces become irregular and inflamed.

What Is Anatomic Shoulder Replacement?

Anatomic total shoulder replacement recreates the shoulder's natural anatomy — replacing the damaged ball with a smooth metal implant and resurfacing the socket with a durable plastic component. Because this implant mirrors the shoulder's normal structure, it relies on a healthy, functioning rotator cuff to move the arm properly.

Am I a Candidate?

Anatomic shoulder replacement is generally recommended for patients with shoulder arthritis who still have a healthy, intact rotator cuff. If the rotator cuff is significantly torn or deficient, a reverse total shoulder replacement is typically a better option, since it doesn't rely on the rotator cuff to function. Dr. Kee will evaluate your imaging and rotator cuff integrity to determine which approach is right for you.

What to Expect During Surgery

The damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with implants designed to restore smooth, pain-free motion. The procedure typically takes one to two hours, and most patients go home the same day or the day after surgery.

Recovery After Anatomic Shoulder Replacement

You'll wake up with your arm in a sling, which is typically worn for several weeks to protect the healing tissue around the joint. Early motion focuses on passive range of motion — meaning a therapist or your other arm moves the joint for you — before progressing to active motion and strengthening as healing allows.

A structured physical therapy protocol guides your recovery in phases — from protecting the healing tissue in the first weeks, to restoring motion, to rebuilding strength. Most patients see significant pain relief early on, with motion and strength continuing to improve over several months.

Shoulder Replacement in the Brazos Valley

Dr. Jadye Kee is fellowship-trained in adult joint reconstruction, including anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement. If shoulder arthritis is limiting your daily life, our office is here to help you understand your options.