Shoulder replacement surgery. Shoulder replacement removes damaged areas of bone and replaces them with parts made of metal and plastic (implants). This surgery is called shoulder arthroplasty (ARTH-row-plas-tee).
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The round head (ball) of the upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder. Damage to the joint can cause pain, weakness and stiffness

Why it’s done

Shoulder replacement surgery is done to relieve pain and other symptoms that result from damage to the shoulder joint.
Conditions that can damage the joint include:
* Osteoarthritis. Known as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis damages the cartilage that covers the ends of bones and helps joints move smoothly.
* Rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries sometimes can result in damage to cartilage and bone in the shoulder joint.
* Fractures. Fractures of the upper end of the humerus may require replacement, either as a result of the injury or when the prior surgery for fracture fixation has failed.
* Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. Caused by an overactive immune system, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can damage the cartilage and occasionally the underlying bone in the joint.
* Osteonecrosis. Some types of shoulder conditions can affect blood flow to the humerus. When a bone is starved of blood, it can collapse.

What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat shoulder problems. You might have arthroscopy for rotator cuff tears or shoulder impingement. Minimally invasive procedures require smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Each incision is about the size of a keyhole.
Your surgeon inserts a small camera called an arthroscope through a tiny incision in your skin. This camera projects pictures of your shoulder joint to a video screen. Your provider looks at these images to find the source of your injury. If you need a shoulder repair, the provider uses miniature surgical instruments to restore your shoulder’s mobility.

Lastly, shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery to treat shoulder problems, including shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears. The procedure usually takes less than an hour. Many people can go back to work or school in a few days. For more complex surgeries, recovery may take longer. A rehabilitation plan, which usually includes exercise and physical therapy, can help you heal faster.