Shoulder hemiarthroplasty — partial shoulder replacement — replaces only the ball of the shoulder joint, leaving your own socket in place. It is a narrower operation than a total replacement, and its role has reduced considerably over the past decade as reverse replacement has improved.

It still has genuine indications, and this page sets out honestly what they are. Dr. Sunil Choudhary, FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics), with two UK shoulder fellowships.

What shoulder hemiarthroplasty is

The damaged humeral head is removed and replaced with a metal component on a stem. The glenoid — the socket side — is not resurfaced. The new metal head articulates against your own cartilage.

That is the fundamental limitation and the fundamental advantage. Nothing is implanted into the glenoid, so there is no glenoid component to loosen — but if the glenoid cartilage is already worn, or wears later, pain will persist or return.

When shoulder hemiarthroplasty is the right operation

  • Avascular necrosis of the humeral head with a preserved, healthy glenoid — the clearest indication, often in younger patients
  • Complex proximal humerus fractures in younger patients where the head cannot be reconstructed but the socket is normal
  • Younger patients with arthritis confined to the humeral head, where implanting a glenoid component would commit them to early revision
  • Glenoid bone stock inadequate to support a socket component safely

When it is not the right operation

In established glenohumeral osteoarthritis where both surfaces are worn, hemiarthroplasty gives less reliable pain relief than a total replacement, because the arthritic socket is left untreated. An anatomic total shoulder replacement is better.

In older patients with complex fractures or with an irreparable rotator cuff, a reverse shoulder replacement now gives more predictable function than hemiarthroplasty does. This shift in practice is the main reason hemiarthroplasty is performed less often than it once was — and any shoulder hemiarthroplasty surgeon in Faridabad should be explaining that to you rather than defaulting to the older operation.

Surgery and recovery

The operation takes around 90 minutes under general anaesthesia with a nerve block. Hospital stay is typically one to two days.

Recovery follows a similar pattern to anatomic replacement: sling for four to six weeks with passive movement, active movement from six weeks, strengthening from eight to twelve weeks, and continued improvement to twelve months. Where the operation was done for a fracture, the tuberosities must heal, so early movement is more cautious.

How to Book an Appointment with a Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty Doctor in Faridabad

Your shoulder health is crucial to your lifestyle and independence. Don’t allow chronic pain or limited movement to limit your mobility. Visit Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s Clinic, is best shoulder hemiarthroplasty clinic in Faridabad for the best treatment available, which is delivered with care and accuracy. He is well certified shoulder hemiarthroplasty doctor in Faridabad.

Guided Restoration with Dr. Sunil Choudhary

Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s expertise in shoulder hemiarthroplasty ensures a comprehensive and effective approach to restoring shoulder function. Through informed decisions, personalized care, and a commitment to optimal outcomes, Dr. Choudhary guides patients toward regaining comfort and mobility in their shoulder joints.

Frequently asked questions

Is a partial shoulder replacement better than a total one?

Only when the glenoid is healthy. If the socket is worn, a total replacement gives better and more durable pain relief. Hemiarthroplasty is a narrower operation for a narrower problem.

Can a hemiarthroplasty be converted later?

Yes. If the glenoid wears and becomes painful, it can be revised to a total or a reverse shoulder replacement depending on the state of the rotator cuff at that stage.

How long does it last?

In a well-selected patient with a healthy glenoid, it can last many years. The most common reason for later revision is progressive wear of the natural socket against the metal head.

Where is this surgery performed in Faridabad?

At the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Sector 21A — the shoulder hemiarthroplasty clinic in Faridabad, with assessment at the Bone & Joints Clinic, Sector 42.

Author & Medical Review

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sunil Choudhary, MBBS, MS, DNB, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth).