• Shoulders
The complex nature of the shoulder can cause many different types of shoulder joint problems to arise. One of the most common of these is arthritis. It is estimated that 70 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from some form of arthritis. Of the more than one hundred types of arthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative), rheumatoid (inflammatory), and trauma related arthritis are the three most common sources of shoulder joint damage. When a shoulder fracture or rotator cuff tear occurs in the shoulder joint, instability and damage to the joint surface often occur. When conservative methods of treatment fail to provide adequate relief, shoulder replacement may be considered. In 2000, an estimated 20,500 shoulder replacement surgeries were performed. Shoulder replacement surgery is also referred to as shoulder arthroplasty.