Reverse shoulder replacement is surgery that switches the positions of the ball and socket to let other muscles move the arm when the rotator cuff is badly torn. Dr. Plancher performs reverse shoulder replacement in New York for arthritis with a failed cuff, after non-surgical care has been tried, to relieve pain and restore function.
Kevin Plancher performs reverse shoulder replacement in New York when it is the right step, and reviews every alternative with you first.
What is Reverse Shoulder Replacement?
Reverse shoulder replacement, also called reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, is a type of joint replacement that reverses the natural setup of the shoulder.
Normally the ball is on the arm bone and the socket is on the shoulder blade. In this surgery, a metal ball is attached to the shoulder blade and a socket is placed on the arm bone.
This switch changes which muscles power the shoulder. Instead of relying on the rotator cuff, it lets the deltoid, the large muscle over the top of the shoulder, lift the arm. That is why it fits people whose rotator cuff is badly torn or cannot be repaired.
It is used for arthritis combined with a failed rotator cuff, for certain complex fractures, and when a previous replacement has not worked. Replacement is considered after non-surgical care has been tried, as the sections below explain.
What happens during Reverse Shoulder Replacement, step by step?
During reverse shoulder replacement, Dr. Plancher makes an incision at the front of the shoulder to reach the joint.
A metal ball is secured to the shoulder blade where the socket used to be, and a socket-shaped piece is fixed to the top of the arm bone where the ball used to be. This reversed design lets the deltoid, the large muscle over the shoulder, lift the arm in place of the torn rotator cuff. Because it does not depend on the cuff, it can restore motion that a standard replacement could not in these cases. Most people stay in the hospital briefly after surgery, and the plan is tailored to the reason for the replacement.
What is recovery like after Reverse Shoulder Replacement?
Recovery from reverse shoulder replacement happens over months and is guided by the reversed design, which shifts the work to the deltoid muscle.
Most people wear a sling early and begin gentle motion under guidance to protect the new joint.
Physical therapy focuses on regaining motion and building strength in the muscles the new shoulder relies on. Many people return to light daily activities within several weeks, while fuller motion and strength commonly develop over about four to six months, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These are ranges, not promises. Your timeline depends on the reason for surgery, your health, and your rehabilitation, which your surgical team will map with you.
Read the full guide to preparing for surgery →
Your own recovery instructions come from the office and are specific to you. This page describes the general course, not a plan to follow.
Who performs reverse shoulder replacement in New York?
Kevin Plancher is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who performs reverse shoulder replacement in New York, NY. Fellowship trained at The Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, Vail, CO – Shoulder and Knee Reconstruction & Sports Medicine, The Indiana Hand Center, Indianapolis, IN – Hand & Microvascular Surgery. Dr. Plancher sees patients at the practice in New York; appointments can be requested through this site.
What do patients ask most?
Why is it called a reverse shoulder replacement?+
Who is a candidate for reverse shoulder replacement?+
How is recovery different from a standard shoulder replacement?+
Will I be able to raise my arm overhead after surgery?+
How do payments work?
Contact the office to confirm insurance participation.
Fellowship trained at The Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, Vail, CO – Shoulder and Knee Reconstruction & Sports Medicine, The Indiana Hand Center, Indianapolis, IN – Hand & Microvascular Surgery. Sees patients in New York.
About Dr. Plancher →