The shoulder joint surfaces are formed by the humerus (arm bone) and the scapula. The surfaces are covered by cartilage.

Certain conditions may indicate the need for a replacement for the shoulder joint such as: osteoarthritis (shown), persistent shoulder pain, severe loss of joint function, osteonecrosis and fractures.

A replacement joint can help alleviate pain and improve function. The replacement joint usually has two parts that replace the joint surfaces and is made of a combination of metal and plastic.

Figure 1: Comparison of a normal shoulder joint and a replacement shoulder joint.
Figure 2: Normal shoulder joint.
Figure 3: A damaged shoulder joint.
Figure 4: Replacement shoulder joint