What Is Shoulder Replacement?
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint. Your humerus (top of your arm) fits into a glenoid (socket). An injury or arthritis can result in pain and restricted movement in the joint. A shoulder replacement should reduce your pain and help you to move your shoulder more easily.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery wait time in public hospitals in Australia
Public Wait time can be up to
The Public health system in NSW has a waiting period for Orthopaedic Surgeries - 90% of Patients waited this length of time for this procedure in the 2019/2020 calendar year.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery video
Shoulder Replacement SURGERY - who is it for?
What are the benefits?
You should get less pain and be able to move your arm more easily.
Are their alternatives?
Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain of arthritis.
A steroid injection into your shoulder joint can sometimes reduce pain and stiffness for several months.
All these measures become less effective if your arthritis gets worse and this is when your surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement.
What happens During Surgery?
Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your shoulder and remove the damaged ball (head of the humerus). They will examine the socket which lies on your shoulder blade. They will then replace the ball and sometimes also the socket. The new ball is made of metal and the socket is usually made of plastic.
Your shoulder replacement is fixed into the bone using a special coating on your arm side of your shoulder joint.
How long is my hospital stay?
Usually, your stay will be 1-2 days.
What is my recovery time?
You will need to keep your arm in a sling for up to 2 weeks to keep the tension away from your shoulder joint.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Most people make a good recovery, have less pain, and can move better after surgery.
An artificial shoulder never feels quite the same as a normal shoulder and it is important to look after it in the long term.
A shoulder replacement can wear out with time.
Self Pay Surgery Costs for Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder Replacement Self Pay Surgery Package includes
- Pre-admissions assessment and testing
- Hospital charges from admission to discharge
- Anaesthetist fee
- Prosthesis
- Medications prescribed in hospital relating to surgery
- Follow up review with surgeon
- Individualised recovery plan
Click the locations on the map below to compare package prices - currently showing the locations closest to you
Do you qualify for This Self Pay Procedure?
You are suitable for this surgery if:
- You have a Body Mass Index under 40
- You are over 16 years of age
- You are not pregnant
- You do not require complex rehabilitation or have a chronic disease that would require immediate post-operative care in an intensive care unit
- You do not have sickle cell anaemia, renal failure or have had a cardiac arrest or cardiac intervention (e.g. insertions of stents) in the last six months
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