Surgical procedures
Reverse shoulder replacement
A proven way to relieve pain and restore overhead motion when the rotator cuff can no longer do its job, by reversing the shoulder's natural ball-and-socket.
Outpatient or 1 night
~2 hour procedure
Reliable pain relief
What is a reverse shoulder replacement?
A healthy shoulder is moved and stabilized by the rotator cuff. When the cuff is badly torn or worn out, a standard replacement can't work. A reverse replacement switches the anatomy, a metal ball is fixed to the socket and a plastic cup to the top of the arm bone.
This reversed design lets the powerful deltoid muscle lift the arm in place of the missing cuff, restoring overhead motion and relieving pain.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A rotator cuff tear too large or too worn to repair
Cuff tear arthropathy, arthritis combined with a long-standing cuff tear
Arthritis in a shoulder where the cuff can no longer support a standard replacement
A complex proximal humerus fracture, most often in an older patient
At a glance
Who it helps
Reverse replacement is especially dependable for older, active patients who want to escape pain and raise the arm again, even when the cuff cannot be repaired.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
The procedure takes about 90 minutes to two hours. You'll be fully asleep, with a nerve block for comfort afterward.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, with a nerve block for lasting comfort.
About 2 hours
Most reverse replacements take 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Home same day
Many patients go home the day of surgery; some stay one night.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
What recovery looks like
Recovery is often more comfortable than expected, because the joint is stable from the start.
Protect & rest
A sling supports the arm. Gentle elbow, wrist, and hand motion begins right away.
Begin motion
Therapy starts gentle shoulder range-of-motion as healing progresses.
Active motion
You work on raising and using the arm actively for daily tasks.
Strength
Strength continues to build, with the best result by 6–12 months.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Reliable, lasting relief from shoulder pain
- Restored ability to raise the arm overhead
- Works even when the rotator cuff cannot be repaired
- A durable implant designed to last many years
- Infection or wound-healing problems
- Dislocation of the new joint
- Nerve irritation, usually temporary
- Implant loosening or fracture over time
Treats these conditions
Reverse replacement is used for massive rotator cuff tears, arthritis, and complex proximal humerus fractures.
FAQ
Common questions
-
A standard replacement relies on a working rotator cuff. The reverse design moves the arm using the deltoid instead, making it the better choice when the cuff is torn or worn out.
-
Modern reverse implants are very durable and designed to function well for many years.
-
Most patients regain comfortable overhead reach, often a dramatic improvement over how the shoulder worked before surgery.
Related conditions