This surgery replaces the damaged or diseased head of the humerus (also called the ball) and cartilage from the shoulder joint with a metal and plastic joint.
First, the surgeon removes the head of the humerus.
The surgeon then smooths and reshapes the shoulder socket (which is called the glenoid).
The plastic glenoid component is pressed into place with bone cement.
The surgeon hollows out the upper portion of the humerus to receive the implant.
The metal stem is implanted in the humerus. It may be secured with bone cement.
A metal ball is placed onto the stem.
The surgeon joins the repaired humerus and glenoid components to form the new shoulder joint.