Some patients arrive at the clinic unable to lift their arm away from their body at all. They can move the elbow and hand normally, but the arm itself will not rise. They have usually been told nothing can be done.
Something can usually be done. Reverse shoulder replacement in Faridabad is specifically designed for this situation, and for many patients it is the most dramatic single improvement in function that shoulder surgery offers.
I am Dr. Sunil Choudhary, FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics), with two UK shoulder fellowships.
Why the shoulder stops lifting
Raising your arm is not the deltoid muscle alone. The rotator cuff holds the ball of the shoulder centred in its socket so that the deltoid has something stable to pull against. When the cuff fails completely, the deltoid simply pulls the humeral head upwards instead of rotating it — and the arm does not rise. This is sometimes called pseudoparalysis: the nerve and muscle work perfectly, but the mechanics have broken down.
How reverse shoulder replacement works
The implant reverses the geometry of the joint. A metal ball — the glenosphere — is fixed to the shoulder blade, and a cup is placed on the upper arm bone. This moves the centre of rotation of the shoulder inwards and downwards, which increases the leverage of the deltoid and allows it to lift the arm without any help from the rotator cuff at all.
It is an elegant solution to a mechanical problem, and it is why a patient who could not raise their arm before surgery can often raise it above shoulder height afterwards.
Who needs a reverse replacement rather than an anatomic one
- Rotator cuff arthropathy — arthritis combined with an irreparable cuff tear. The classic indication
- Massive irreparable rotator cuff tear with loss of active elevation, even without arthritis
- Complex proximal humerus fractures in older patients, where the bone fragments will not reliably heal
- Failed previous shoulder surgery — including a failed anatomic replacement or a failed hemiarthroplasty. Revision shoulder replacement
- Severe glenoid bone loss or deformity that an anatomic implant cannot address
- Failed cuff repair in an older patient with persistent loss of function
If your rotator cuff is intact, you do not need a reverse replacement — an anatomic total shoulder replacement will give you better rotation.
What the surgery involves
The glenosphere is fixed to the glenoid with a baseplate and screws, and the humeral component is implanted on a stem or stemless design. Precise positioning of the baseplate is critical — it determines stability, range of movement and the risk of the implant notching against the bone over time. Pre-operative CT planning is routine for this reason.
Surgery takes 90 to 120 minutes under general anaesthesia with a nerve block. Hospital stay is one to two days.
Recovery
Rehabilitation is generally quicker and less restrictive than after an anatomic replacement, because there is no subscapularis repair to protect in the same way.
- Weeks 0–4 — sling, with early assisted elevation permitted in most cases
- Weeks 4–8 — active movement progressed, deltoid strengthening introduced
- Months 2–6 — strengthening and functional activity
- Months 6–12 — continued improvement
What to expect — and the honest limitations
Pain relief is reliable and forward elevation usually improves substantially. The limitation is rotation. Because the rotator cuff is not restored, internal and external rotation often remain restricted — reaching behind the back to tuck in a shirt or fasten clothing may still be difficult. Patients should know this before surgery rather than discover it afterwards.
Lifting limits apply too: heavy loads and overhead weight-bearing are not advised, as they accelerate implant wear and loosening.
Risks specific to reverse replacement
- Scapular notching — the humeral component contacting the shoulder blade over time, which component positioning minimises
- Instability or dislocation — more common than with anatomic replacement
- Acromial stress fracture — uncommon but recognised
- Infection, including slow-growing *Cutibacterium acnes*
- Baseplate loosening
Guided by Excellence: Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s Approach
Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s expertise in Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement ensures patients receive compassionate and cutting-edge care to reclaim shoulder function. His commitment to delivering patient-centric solutions encompasses meticulous preoperative evaluation, state-of-the-art surgical techniques, and comprehensive postoperative rehabilitation.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement Clinic in Faridabad
Reverse shoulder replacement doctor in Faridabad provides an innovative treatment option for people who suffer from chronic shoulder pain. By changing the structure of the shoulder joint, this procedure helps relieve chronic pain, improves mobility, and increases the overall quality of life. Through the experience of shoulder specialists and a well-planned rehab program for patients, they can benefit significantly, such as decreased pain, increased mobility, and restored function. Dr. Sunil Choudhary Clinic is trusted reverse shoulder replacement clinic in Faridabad.
If you’re suffering from persistent shoulder pain, speaking with the orthopedic surgeon in Faridabad will help you determine whether reverse shoulder replacement might be the best treatment option for you. Giving you hope for a better outcome and a boost in outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Will I be able to lift my arm again?
In most patients, yes — and often this is the change that matters most. Patients who could not raise the arm at all frequently regain elevation to or above shoulder height.
How long does a reverse shoulder replacement last?
Published survivorship is commonly in the region of 90 per cent at ten years. Because it is often performed in older patients, it frequently lasts the patient’s lifetime.
Am I too old for this operation?
Age alone is rarely the barrier — this operation is designed largely for older patients. What matters is whether you are medically fit for anaesthesia and whether the deltoid and axillary nerve are working.
Can a failed rotator cuff repair be converted to a reverse replacement?
Yes, and this is a common and effective indication, particularly in patients over sixty-five with a failed repair and persistent loss of elevation.
Where is reverse shoulder replacement available in Faridabad?
At the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Sector 21A — the reverse shoulder replacement clinic in Faridabad, with CT-based pre-operative planning and specialist shoulder rehabilitation.
