International Support Group
Home Hospitals Doctors How It Works Blog FAQs
Get A Quote
ORTHOPAEDICS & SPINE Procedure

Shoulder & Ankle Joint Arthroplasty

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement and Total Ankle Replacement reconstruct severe Glenohumeral and Talocrural joint arthritis, restoring arm lifting and foot walking function.

Shoulder & ankle replacement
Shoulder & ankle replacement

Clinical Overview & Disease Information

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement and Total Ankle Replacement reconstruct severe Glenohumeral and Talocrural joint arthritis, restoring arm lifting and foot walking function.

Signs & Symptoms

Early Symptoms
  • Shoulder pain when reaching overhead
  • Ankle pain when stepping on uneven ground
  • Joint stiffness in morning
Common Symptoms
  • Inability to raise arm above shoulder height
  • Severe ankle stiffness preventing normal stride
  • Night pain disturbing sleep
  • Grinding sensation during shoulder or ankle motion
Emergency Symptoms
  • Sudden inability to feel or move fingers/toes
  • Acute shoulder dislocation
  • Severe ankle swelling with skin breakdown

Causes & Risk Factors

Primary Causes & Etiology

  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (shoulder)
  • Post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis after fracture
  • Rheumatoid arthritis affecting small joints

Who is at Higher Risk?

  • Elderly patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears
  • Athletes with history of severe ankle fractures

Diagnostic Evaluation & Testing

Diagnostic Test Clinical Purpose / What It Shows
3D CT Scan of Shoulder & Ankle Joints Evaluates glenoid bone stock and talar dome cartilage loss
MRI Shoulder / Ankle Assesses rotator cuff tendon integrity and ankle ligaments

Comprehensive Treatment Options

Minimally Invasive: Arthroscopic Joint Resurfacing & Debridement

Keyhole removal of bone spurs and loose bodies.

Key Advantages:
Small keyhole incisions
Rapid mobility recovery
Preserves native joint bone

Surgical: Reverse Total Shoulder & Total Ankle Replacement

Reverses shoulder biomechanics using deltoid muscle; replaces ankle talus and tibia.

Recommended For:
Irreparable rotator cuff tear with arthritis
End-stage ankle arthritis avoiding ankle fusion

Advanced Medical Technologies Available in Partner Hospitals

Reverse Shoulder Glenosphere Implants Mobile-Bearing Total Ankle Prostheses 3D Patient Guides

Possible Complications If Untreated

Shoulder instability or dislocation
Ankle wound healing complications
Nerve injury (axillary or peroneal nerve)

Recovery Timeline, Diet & Lifestyle Care

Recovery Timeline

Procedure / Stage Expected Recovery Duration
Sling / Ankle Boot Immobilization 2 to 4 weeks
Passive Range of Motion Exercise 4 to 6 weeks
Active Strengthening & Walking 8 to 12 weeks

Recommended Post-Treatment Diet

  • Protein rich diet
  • Vitamin D3 & Calcium
  • Collagen peptides

Essential Lifestyle Changes

  • Wear shoulder sling or ankle walker boot as directed
  • Avoid heavy lifting > 5kg
  • Engage in dedicated physiotherapy
When to Contact a Doctor Urgently:
Numbness in hand or foot
Severe swelling not relieved by elevation
Wound discharge

Prevention & Long-Term Health

Early treatment of ankle sprains and shoulder rotator cuff injuries
Avoid repetitive high-impact overhead lifting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reverse Shoulder Replacement?

It relies on the deltoid muscle instead of the torn rotator cuff to power and lift the arm.

Is ankle replacement better than ankle fusion?

Ankle replacement preserves walking motion, whereas ankle fusion locks the joint permanently.

Top Recommended Specialists Available

Dr. Hitesh Garg

Dr. Hitesh Garg

Head - Ortho Spine Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal

Dr. Ashok Rajgopal

Group Chairman - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Amit Jassal

Dr. Amit Jassal

Principal Consultant - Anaesthesia

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. I P S Oberoi

Dr. I P S Oberoi

Chairperson - Orthopaedics Program & Chief – Robotic Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. (Col) Suvasish Chakraberty

Dr. (Col) Suvasish Chakraberty

Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Devendra Singh Solanki

Dr. Devendra Singh Solanki

Head Unit I - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Devendra Yadav

Dr. Devendra Yadav

Unit Head - Orthopaedics (Unit VI)

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Ramkinkar Jha

Dr. Ramkinkar Jha

Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Rohit Lamba

Dr. Rohit Lamba

Head of Department - Orthopaedics & Bone Joint Care

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Sachin Sethi (PT)

Dr. Sachin Sethi (PT)

Principal Lead - Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Sumit Kumar

Dr. Sumit Kumar

Consultant - Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Varun Khanna

Dr. Varun Khanna

Consultant - Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Vivek Vaibhav

Dr. Vivek Vaibhav

Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement (Unit I)

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Hitesh Garg

Dr. Hitesh Garg

Head - Ortho Spine Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. (Prof.) Ravi Sauhta

Dr. (Prof.) Ravi Sauhta

Chief and HOD - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement (Unit VI)

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Sandeep Chauhan

Dr. Sandeep Chauhan

Head (Unit-III) - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Sanjay Sarup

Dr. Sanjay Sarup

Head – Orthopaedics (Unit-II) & Chief – Paediatric Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. SK Rajan

Dr. SK Rajan

Chief - Neuro Spine Surgery & Additional Director - Neurosurgery

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Vipin Maheshwari

Dr. Vipin Maheshwari

Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement

View Doctor Profile →
Dr. Anjali Vaish

Dr. Anjali Vaish

Consultant - Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre

View Doctor Profile →

Global Cost Comparison Matrix

Procedure USA (Avg) India (ISG) Turkey (Avg) Thailand (Avg)
Shoulder & ankle replacement $52,000 $7,500 $9,500 $11,000

Request Free Clinical Opinion & Cost Estimate

Upload your diagnostic reports or medical summary for a free review by leading specialists within 24-48 hours.

Get Free Treatment Estimate

Commonly Prescribed Medications

  • Etoricoxib 90mg daily
  • Paracetamol 1g as needed
  • Topical Diclofenac Gel

International Patient Guide

Estimated Stay in India:
Pre-op Imaging & Workup 1 - 2 days
Joint Surgery & Stay 3 - 4 days
Rehab & Flight Clearance 10 - 12 days total stay
Documents to Bring:
  • Passport & Visa
  • Shoulder / Ankle CT & MRI CDs
  • Doctor Referral