In a Shoulder joint replacement procedure, the affected parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial materials called prostheses. Replacements can include only the replacement of the head bone (ball) or replacement of both the ball and the cavity (glenoid). Joint replacement is an effective and safe procedure for relieving pain and helps you resume your daily activities.

Total shoulder replacement
Usually involves replacing arthritic joint surfaces with a perfectly polished metal ball that attaches to a rod and plastic cavity. These components are available in different sizes. They may be adhered to the bone or connected by press fit (a type of joint between two parts that fracture after compressing the two parts). If your bone is in good condition, the surgeon may use a non-adhesive Shoulder component (press fit). If the bone is soft, the components of the shoulder are implanted with bone adhesive. In most cases, an all-plastic glenoid (cavity) is implanted with the bone.

Semi-arthroplasty(Partial)
Depending on the condition of your shoulder, the surgeon may only replace the ball. This process is called semi-arthroplasty. In conventional arthroplasty, such as components used for complete shoulder replacement, the shoulder bone is replaced with a ball and a metal rod. This is called semi-arthroplasty with rods.
Some surgeons suggest semi-arthroplasty when the shoulder bone is severely fractured but the cavity is normal.