Dr L Tomar is one of the proficient and renowned shoulder replacement surgeons in India based in Delhi city. He has done many complicated shoulder replacement surgery in his lifetime and hence has made a place for himself. Dr L Tomar does the surgery with great care and endurance so that the patients after recover can do their normal daily activities.

How is surgery done

Surgeons now are doing a very new procedure which is called reverse total shoulder replacement for those people who are suffering from arthritis in their shoulder, and with time have considerably damaged the muscles around the shoulder.  In shoulder replacement surgery doctors replaces the ends of the damaged upper bone called humerus and the shoulder bone called the scapula and then replaces them with plastic or metal.

Shoulder replacement surgery involves surgery to replace the end of bones. The surgery produces new joint surface. The top end of the humerus is shaped like a ball. Muscles and ligament hold this ball strongly. Surgeon during the process replace top of humerus with long metal piece, and insert it into upper arm bone that has rounded head.  If the cup shaped of the bone that cradles the humerus is also damaged it needs smoothening. A doctor smooths it and then caps it with plastic or metal piece.

Generally, the doctor’s uses general anesthesia for joint replacement surgeries, which means that you will be sleeping throughout the surgery. But sometimes they use regional anesthesia also that keeps you awake during the surgery but the area of surgery you can’t feel.

What to expect right after the surgery?

For about a day after the surgery, you will have intervenous (IV) antibiotic. You certainly will have the painkillers to prevent pain and also medication to prevent a bold clot. After the surgery, you will feel constipated because of the medicines.

Perhaps your shoulder will have the bandage and a pipe to collect the fluid as it prevents from building up around the joint. You may have catheter attached to your bladder so you do not have to get up to urinate. You will have a compression sleeve on your arm to keep the blood circulation on and prevent a blood clot.

Eventually, patient’s regain two-thirds of the normal shoulder movement after the surgery. The soft tissues are damaged around the shoulder so it takes time to heel completely. For further movement of the shoulder physical therapy is highly recommended.

After 2 days your physical therapist will make you do some gentle exercise. The exercise involves passive motion you yourself don’t have to do it your therapist moves your arm. It’s important to keep doing the exercise while you are at the hospital and even after you are released to et most benefit from the surgery.

However, shoulder replacement is never suggested for the patients who:
  • Have poor health and may not tolerate anesthesia and surgery
  • Have some kind of active infection or are at risk of infection
  • Have osteoporosis
  • Are very week especially the muscles around the shoulder.