In reverse total shoulder replacement, the ball and socket are switched. A metal ball is attached to the scapula and a plastic socket is attached to the humerus.
Once the location of the ball and socket are reversed, patients use their deltoid muscle, instead of their rotator cuff, to lift their arm overhead.
Candidates for reverse total shoulder replacement may include patients with:
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
- No range of motion in the shoulder joint
- Severe shoulder fractures
- Failed shoulder replacements
Dr. Sameer Nagda explains reverse shoulder replacement