Ironman competitions traditionally involved swimming, biking, and racing. With proper rehab and training, a shoulder replacement should not keep you out of the race. Older adults who participate in sports before surgery are more likely to return to that sport after surgery. This is when compared with patients who aren’t active before shoulder replacement.

Although swimming requires repetitive motion, it does not seem to prevent patients with total shoulder replacements from participating. The rate of implant loosening or revision surgery among swimmers is no different from non-swimmers with a shoulder implant.

In an ironman competition it can be difficult to take full strokes. With so many bodies in the water, there’s a lot of water turbulence and bumping of elbows. You may have to alter your stroke to compensate. Athletes try to conserve leg muscles for the cycling and running portions of the race. A modified stroke is also needed to enable you to lift your head above the water to see markers without interrupting your swim or wasting energy.

Expect a three to six month rehab program followed by specific training for your ironman event. A physical therapist can help you with a sports specific training program. Make sure you keep your follow-up appointments with the surgeon after the operation. This will ensure that there are no unseen complications such as implant loosening or subsidence (implant sinking down into the bone).

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Shoulder replacement is the removal of the shoulder socket and head of the humerus (upper arm bone). These parts are replaced with an artificial implant.

On the shoulder socket side, a cup-shaped metal or ceramic implant is pressed or cemented into the bone. On the humeral side, an implant shaped like the head of a humerus with a long stem is inserted down into the shaft of the humerus. New bone from the humerus grows into and around the implants.

With joint resurfacing, the surgeon removes any bone spurs and smooths the joint surface. Then the joint surface is covered with tissue from some other part of the body. This could be a piece of tendon, flap of muscle, or rim of meniscus. The tissue usually comes from a donor bank.

Biologic resurfacing is also known as interpositional arthroplasty. It has been around in one form or another since the mid-1800s. It is one alternative to a total joint replacement for young, active adults. Less bone is removed. This makes it possible to convert to a total shoulder replacement later, if needed.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

It’s true that the number of hip and knee replacements far out pace the number of shoulder replacements. The number of shoulder replacements is increasing every year. Last year more than 10,000 were done in the United States.

Long-term studies 20 years down the road aren’t available yet. But short- to mid-term results are in. Most patients have a good result with decreased pain and improved movement. These two results also mean better function and higher quality of life for most people.

As with any surgery, problems can occur. In a small number of patients blood clots, infection, or fracture can cause death or delay recovery. The risk of technical difficulties is greater with shoulder replacement surgery compared to hip and knee.

Overall, patients report improved quality-of-life with a shoulder replacement. If they had to do it over again, they would have the same operation.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

As the old saying goes, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Joint replacements don’t last forever. Just removing the damaged part and replacing it can cause problems. The muscles around the joint must be cut and a certain amount of bone removed.

Many doctors would agree when only half the joint is a problem then a hemiarthroplasty is the way to go. This operation only replaces the part of the joint that is damaged. This is usually the head of the humerus or ball portion that fits into the socket. Any part of the joint that is still in good health should be saved.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com.