If you have severe pain, stiffness and disability, a shoulder replacement should reduce your pain and help you to move your shoulder more easily.

What is a shoulder replacement?

A shoulder replacement involves replacing the shoulder joint if it has been damaged by injury or worn away by arthritis. When arthritis affects the shoulder it causes the lining of these joint surfaces to wear, causing pain and stiffness.

During a shoulder replacement, both the head of the humerus and the socket are replaced with artificial surfaces. Artificial shoulder parts are usually made of metal or plastic, or a combination of these.

consultant profile picture.

What does a shoulder replacement involve?

The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours. A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your shoulder and remove the damaged ball (head of the humerus). They will replace the ball and sometimes also the socket. The new ball is made of metal and the socket is usually made of plastic.

The shoulder replacement is fixed into the bone using a special coating on the arm side of your shoulder joint.

Are there any alternatives to a shoulder replacement?

  • Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain.
  • Regular moderate exercise can help to reduce stiffness in your arthritic shoulder. 
  • A steroid injection into the shoulder joint can sometimes reduce pain and stiffness.

All of these measures become less effective as your arthritis gets worse.

Shoulder surgery at The Horder Centre

Presented by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Jamie Buchanan, this video offers advice on shoulder pain and the surgery options available.

Watch video

What complications can happen?

General complications

  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection of the surgical site (wound)
  • Unsightly scarring
  • Chest infection
  • Heart attack or stroke

Specific complications

  • Damage to nerves around your shoulder
  • Infection
  • Loosening
  • Rotator-cuff tears
  • Dislocation
  • Stiff shoulder
consultant profile picture.

Information leaflet

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.

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Finance options available

To make private healthcare more accessible, we have introduced a finance option to spread the cost of your treatment over a period of time.

Self-paying patients at Horder Healthcare are now able to take out loans that cover all fees, including the consultant, anaesthetist and hospital fees. The loan products include interest-free options, with repayment periods of 6, 10 or 12 months, and interest-bearing loans repayable over 24, 36, 48 and 60 months, currently with an APR of 12.9%. Subject to approval.

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Guide price for self pay patients

Shoulder Replacement (Total)

  Estimated Cost *
Initial Consultation from £220
Diagnostics from £85
 Treatment £10,557

Estimated total cost £10,862
Estimated length of stay 3 nights

* The guide price is correct as of 30th March 2021

What's included

Price is inclusive of the initial consultation, X-ray diagnostics if needed (MRI not included), surgery, private en-suite room, inpatient physiotherapy when applicable and follow up consultation. Our private patients also receive continuity of care up to and including 120 days following your surgery.

The guide price is based on the usual clinical needs of patients. The price you pay might be different depending on your medical history and the type of implant you choose or your Consultant advises is best for you. Your price quotation will be made clear to you before you proceed with any tests, consultations or treatment.

No hospital waiting lists

As a private patient at The Horder Centre you can get faster access to the very best orthopaedic consultants.

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Acknowledgements
Prof Lennard Funk (MSc FRCS)
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Copyright EIDO Systems International © 2000-2021 
The operation and treatment information on this webpage is produced using information from EIDO Systems International and is licensed by Horder Healthcare. The information should not replace the advice that your relevant health professional would give you.

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