Removing and replacing the entire shoulder joint is done 10,000 times each year in the United States. The most common reason for shoulder replacement is advanced osteoarthritis.

Whether to replace part or all of the joint remains a hotly debated topic among orthopedic surgeons. Long-term studies (10 to 20 years) aren't available yet. Short-term studies (two to five years) show good results for both.

Most often the surgeon makes the decision during the surgery. The joint and surrounding soft tissues are examined. The type and amount of damage helps the surgeon decide what's best. Then the correct size of implant is chosen and implanted.