eorthopod.com

Every year I see my doctor she wants to X-ray my shoulder replacement. I don't really want so many X-rays. Are they really necessary?

We still don't know how well total shoulder replacements hold up over time. X-rays give the doctor an idea if there's any loosening in the joint. This can be seen before the patient begins to have pain or loss of motion.

It's not clear yet from studies just how often screening X-rays should be taken. Is every year needed or is every two or three years often enough? Usually finding problems early and treating them saves the patient time, money, and discomfort in the end.

Reference: 

Dianne Bryant, MSc, PhD, et al. a Comparison of Pain, Strength, Range of Motion, and Functional Outcomes After Hemiarthroplasty and Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder. In The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. September 2005. Vol. 87-A. No. 9. Pp. 1947-1956.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.