How does one decide between a hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder?
For most patients with osteoarthritis, hemiarthroplasty is the preferred procedure. Although total shoulders can make you feel better by replacing both sides of the joint, instead of one, they have more complications in the long run. These primarily include loosening of the glenoid component and a higher risk for dislocation. Some patients may need to have a total shoulder, however. These include patients who have had significant destruction of their glenoid cartilage or patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
