Total shoulder replacement or shoulder arthroplasty is the replacement of the ball of the upper arm and socket of the shoulder blade with specially designed prostheses made of metal or ceramic (for the humeral head) and polyethylene, a medical grade plastic, for the socket.

These have now become smaller and are called stemless prostheses as, thanks to modern technology, there is no need to put a stem down the humerus.

Read more about osteoarthritis of the shoulder  

• How patients commonly present
• How a diagnosis is made
• How these problems are treated (both operative and non-operative options)

Read more about primary shoulder replacement  

• How the operation is done
• Questions Dr Duckworth is frequently asked