Shoulder Replacement in Louisville, KY
Aptiva Health provides comprehensive shoulder replacement care in Louisville — from the first evaluation through imaging, conservative treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation — anchored by board-certified orthopedic surgeons and a team of orthopedic advanced practice providers. We treat shoulder arthritis at every stage, prioritizing conservative care first and offering anatomic total, reverse total, and partial shoulder replacement when joint replacement becomes the right answer. With on-site imaging, on-site physical therapy, and an in-house orthopedic team, the entire shoulder replacement pathway happens under one roof.
Medically reviewed by Shawn Price, MD and J. Steve Smith, MD. Last reviewed: May 2026.
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What Is Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Shoulder replacement surgery — also called shoulder arthroplasty — resurfaces a shoulder joint worn down by arthritis. When the smooth cartilage that caps the ball of the upper arm bone and lines the shoulder socket wears away, bone rubs against bone, producing pain, stiffness, and lost mobility. Shoulder replacement removes the damaged surfaces and replaces them with precisely fitted metal and plastic implant components that restore a smooth, gliding joint.
There are three main types — and the difference between them is one of the most important decisions in shoulder surgery:
Anatomic total shoulder replacement keeps the ball and socket in their normal positions and depends on an intact rotator cuff to power the arm.
Reverse total shoulder replacement switches the ball and socket positions, allowing the deltoid muscle to lift the arm. It is the procedure of choice when the rotator cuff is torn beyond repair.
Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) replaces only the ball side of the joint and is used in select cases.
The right choice depends on the state of the rotator cuff, the pattern of arthritis, and the patient.
Conditions That Lead to Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder replacement is most often the endpoint of a shoulder problem that has progressed beyond what conservative care can control:
Shoulder osteoarthritis — the most common reason for shoulder replacement. Age-related "wear and tear" gradually erodes the joint cartilage.
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy — shoulder arthritis combined with an irreparable rotator cuff tear. This is the classic indication for reverse shoulder replacement.
Rheumatoid arthritis — an inflammatory arthritis that damages the joint lining and cartilage.
Post-traumatic arthritis — arthritis that develops years after a shoulder fracture or dislocation.
Complex shoulder fractures in older adults, particularly fractures of the upper end of the humerus that cannot be reconstructed.
Avascular necrosis — loss of blood supply to bone in the shoulder, leading to joint collapse.
The common thread is the same: a shoulder joint that no longer moves without pain.
Types of Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic total shoulder replacement
In an anatomic total shoulder replacement, the worn ball of the upper arm bone is replaced with a metal ball, and the worn socket is resurfaced with a plastic socket — each in its natural anatomic position. The rotator cuff is what holds the new ball in the new socket and powers the arm, which is why anatomic replacement requires an intact, functioning rotator cuff. For patients with shoulder arthritis and a healthy cuff, anatomic replacement reliably relieves pain and restores motion close to normal.
Reverse total shoulder replacement
In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the positions of the ball and socket are switched: the metal ball is attached to the shoulder blade and the plastic socket is attached to the upper arm bone. This change shifts the mechanics of the joint so the deltoid muscle — the large muscle on the outside of the shoulder — can lift the arm, even when the rotator cuff is irreparably torn.
Reverse shoulder replacement was originally developed for rotator cuff tear arthropathy — shoulder arthritis combined with a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear — and it remains the procedure of choice for that condition. It is also used for select complex shoulder fractures in older adults, for failed prior shoulder replacements, and for patients whose rotator cuff is too weak to power an anatomic replacement. It is one of the fastest-growing orthopedic procedures because it solves a problem no other operation can.
Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty)
In a partial shoulder replacement, only the ball side of the joint is replaced — the worn upper arm bone surface is resurfaced, but the shoulder socket is left alone. It is used in select cases, including certain fractures and some younger patients with arthritis limited to one side of the joint. Your surgeon discusses whether this is an option in your situation.
Anatomic vs. Reverse — Which Is Right for You?
This is the most important decision in shoulder replacement surgery, and it is driven primarily by one factor: the condition of your rotator cuff.
If your rotator cuff is intact and functioning, an anatomic total shoulder replacement is usually the right choice. It restores the joint to its normal anatomy and typically gives motion closest to a normal shoulder.
If your rotator cuff is torn beyond repair, an anatomic replacement will not work — there is no cuff to power the arm. A reverse total shoulder replacement is the right choice, because it lets the deltoid muscle do the lifting.
If your shoulder has been fractured in a complex way that the bone cannot be reconstructed reliably, reverse replacement is often the most predictable solution.
If you are a younger patient with arthritis on only one side of the joint, a partial shoulder replacement may be considered.
Imaging — usually an X-ray, MRI, and sometimes a CT scan for surgical planning — confirms which type fits your shoulder. At Aptiva Health, your surgeon reviews your imaging and your symptoms and recommends the option that fits your shoulder, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Aptiva Stepped-Care Approach to Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder replacement is rarely a first-line treatment. Our Louisville shoulder team follows a stepped-care approach that gives every patient the best chance of controlling shoulder arthritis without surgery — and makes sure that, for patients who do need replacement, the timing is right.
Step 1 — Activity modification, medication, and self-care. Anti-inflammatory medication, ice and heat, and adjusting the activities that aggravate the shoulder.
Step 2 — Physical therapy and strengthening. Shoulder-specific strengthening and mobility work that takes load off the arthritic joint and can meaningfully reduce pain.
Step 3 — Shoulder injections. Corticosteroid injections to calm inflammation, administered by our orthopedic PA and APRN, often providing months of relief.
Step 4 — Anatomic, reverse, or partial shoulder replacement when conservative care no longer controls the pain and imaging confirms advanced arthritis.
Many patients control their symptoms at Step 2 or Step 3 for years. For the patients who do reach Step 4, the stepped-care evaluation confirms that replacement is the right answer.
Signs You May Be a Candidate for Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder replacement is worth discussing with an orthopedic surgeon when shoulder arthritis is genuinely limiting your life. Common signs include:
Shoulder pain that limits everyday activities — difficulty reaching overhead, dressing, grooming, driving, or carrying.
Shoulder pain at rest or at night — pain that persists when you are not using the shoulder, or that wakes you up.
Stiffness and loss of motion — a shoulder that no longer rotates, reaches, or lifts as it used to.
Pain that conservative care no longer controls — physical therapy, medication, activity modification, and injections have stopped providing enough relief.
Imaging that shows advanced arthritis — X-rays demonstrating significant cartilage loss or bone-on-bone changes.
A shoulder you can no longer lift — particularly when combined with arthritis, a sign that the rotator cuff may be involved and reverse replacement may be appropriate.
You do not have to wait until the shoulder is unbearable. An evaluation simply tells you where you stand and what your options are.
How Shoulder Replacement Surgery Is Performed
During shoulder replacement, the surgeon removes the worn cartilage and a thin layer of bone from the damaged surfaces and resurfaces them with implant components. The specific approach depends on whether the replacement is anatomic, reverse, or partial, and on the patient's anatomy. Aptiva Health uses minimally invasive techniques whenever the anatomy allows, and many shoulder replacements are performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis at the appropriate surgical center.
Surgical planning is informed by X-ray, MRI, and — for many cases, particularly reverse replacement — a pre-operative CT scan that lets the surgeon plan implant positioning precisely.
Recovery After Shoulder Replacement
Recovery from shoulder replacement is an active process, and physical therapy is central to the result.
The arm is protected in a sling for roughly four to six weeks while the shoulder begins to heal. Physical therapy then progresses in stages — first restoring motion, then rebuilding strength. Substantial recovery takes about three to six months, with strength and motion continuing to improve for up to a year.
Reverse shoulder replacement and anatomic shoulder replacement follow slightly different rehabilitation paths — reverse rehab focuses on deltoid activation rather than rotator cuff strengthening — but the overall timeline is similar.
Aptiva Health coordinates post-operative physical therapy in-house, so the surgical team and the therapy team share the same plan — which keeps rehabilitation on track and recovery moving.
Why Patients Choose Aptiva Health for Shoulder Replacement in Louisville
One shoulder team, one care pathway. From the initial evaluation through imaging, conservative care, surgery, and post-operative rehab, the patient stays inside one organization. The surgeon, the orthopedic PA and APRN, the physical therapist, and the imaging center all share the same chart and the same plan.
Conservative care first, surgery when it's right. Most shoulder arthritis can be managed for years without surgery. Our team recommends shoulder replacement only when conservative care no longer controls the pain and imaging confirms it.
Same-week shoulder evaluations. Aptiva Health Louisville offers same-week orthopedic appointments — patients do not wait months to be seen.
On-site imaging and therapy across Louisville. With on-site imaging and in-house orthopedic and physical therapy services, the scan, the diagnosis, the surgery, and the rehab all happen close to home.
When to See a Doctor - Call Now!
You should be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist if you have:
Shoulder pain that has limited your daily activities for months
Shoulder pain at rest or at night
Stiffness that keeps the shoulder from reaching overhead, behind your back, or across your body
Shoulder arthritis that conservative care no longer controls
A shoulder you cannot lift, especially after a known rotator cuff tear
A prior shoulder surgery or fracture and a shoulder that has gradually worsened
For non-emergency shoulder evaluation, Aptiva Health Louisville offers same-week appointments — patients do not wait months to be seen.
Schedule your appointment today!
Meet the Louisville Shoulder Replacement Team
J. Steve Smith, MD — Director of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Dr. Steve Smith is the Director of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine at Aptiva Health and a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, trained at the University of Rochester, and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where he served on the medical staff for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Anaheim Ducks. Fun Fact: Dr. Smith performed the first reverse shoulder replacement surgery in Louisville, Kentucky.
Shawn Price, MD — Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Shawn Price is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose clinical focus includes arthritis care, minimally invasive joint replacement, and the treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. For shoulder patients, Dr. Price evaluates and treats shoulder arthritis and performs anatomic total, reverse total, and partial shoulder replacement — including for patients whose rotator cuff tear is too large to repair and is accompanied by arthritis. He completed his Sarcoma Advanced Research and Clinical Fellowship at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute under the mentorship of Drs. R. Lor Randall and Kevin B. Jones.
Michael Gilbert, PA-C — Orthopedic Physician Assistant Orthopedic physician assistant for 30 years. For shoulder patients, Michael provides same-week new-patient evaluations, conservative-care coordination, shoulder injections, and post-operative follow-up.
Rebecca Kostyo, APRN — Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Advanced practice registered nurse who works directly with the Aptiva Health shoulder team to evaluate, diagnose, and manage shoulder conditions, including conservative care, shoulder injections, and pre- and post-operative coordination.
Schedule a Shoulder Replacement Consultation in Louisville — Schedule Now
Louisville locations serving shoulder patients:
Louisville East — 10100 Linn Station Road, Suite 1A, Louisville, KY 40223 Tel: 502-414-0036
Louisville Downtown — 300 South 13th Street, Louisville, KY 40203 Tel: 502-583-1011
Louisville Middletown — 401 N English Station Road, Suite 1A, Louisville, KY 40223Tel: 502-414-0036
Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute — 3611 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218 Tel: 502-414-0036
Louisville Imaging — 3615 Newburg Road, Suite 106, Louisville, KY 40218. Tel: 502-414-0036
Elizabethtown and Mt. Washington locations also serve orthopedic patients:
Aptiva Health Orthopedics – Elizabethtown — 529 Westport Road, Suite 2, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Tel: 270-751-6706
Aptiva Health Orthopedics – Mt. Washington — 737 N Hwy 31e Byp, Suite 2, Mt. Washington, KY 40047 Tel: 502-414-0036
Insurance accepted: Most major medical insurance, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, most Kentucky Medicaid plans, workers' compensation, auto injury coverage (PIP and MedPay), and cash-pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Replacement in Louisville
What is the difference between anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement?
An anatomic total shoulder replacement keeps the ball and socket in their normal positions — a metal ball on the upper arm bone and a plastic socket on the shoulder blade — and relies on the rotator cuff to power the arm. A reverse total shoulder replacement switches them: the ball is placed on the shoulder blade and the socket on the upper arm bone. This change lets the large deltoid muscle lift the arm, which makes reverse replacement the procedure of choice when the rotator cuff is torn beyond repair. The key factor in choosing between them is the condition of the rotator cuff.
Who is a candidate for reverse shoulder replacement?
Reverse shoulder replacement is the right procedure when shoulder arthritis is accompanied by an irreparable rotator cuff tear — a condition called rotator cuff tear arthropathy. It is also used for some complex shoulder fractures in older adults, for failed prior shoulder replacements, and for select patients with severe shoulder arthritis whose rotator cuff is too weak to power an anatomic replacement. Your Aptiva Health surgeon reviews your imaging and exam to recommend the right procedure.
How do I know if I need a shoulder replacement?
Shoulder replacement is considered when shoulder arthritis causes pain and stiffness that limit everyday activities and has not improved with conservative care — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, and injections. Common signs include shoulder pain at rest or at night, difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back, difficulty dressing and grooming, and X-rays showing advanced cartilage loss. Your Aptiva Health surgeon reviews your symptoms, exam, and imaging to determine whether replacement is the right step.
How long does a shoulder replacement last?
Modern shoulder replacement implants are durable. Most last 15 to 20 years or more, and a large share continue to function well beyond 20 years. Longevity depends on factors such as activity level, the condition of the surrounding muscles, and the type of replacement performed. Your surgeon discusses what to expect based on your individual situation.
How long is recovery after shoulder replacement surgery?
The arm is protected in a sling for roughly four to six weeks while the shoulder begins to heal, followed by a progressive physical therapy program. Substantial recovery takes about three to six months, with strength and motion continuing to improve for up to a year. Reverse shoulder replacement often has a slightly different rehabilitation path than anatomic, but the overall timeline is similar. Aptiva Health coordinates post-operative physical therapy in-house, which keeps rehabilitation on schedule.
Will I get full range of motion back after shoulder replacement?
Most patients regain pain-free, functional motion that lets them resume everyday activities — overhead reaching, dressing, driving, household tasks, and many recreational activities. Anatomic total shoulder replacement, in a shoulder with an intact rotator cuff, often restores motion close to normal. Reverse total shoulder replacement reliably restores the ability to lift the arm in patients who had lost it, though extreme range of motion may be more limited. Your surgeon discusses what to expect based on your starting point and procedure.
Is shoulder replacement an outpatient surgery?
Many shoulder replacements today are performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis, meaning select patients go home the same day. Whether a particular patient is a candidate for outpatient surgery depends on their overall health, home support, and the type of replacement performed. Your Aptiva Health surgical team reviews this with you before surgery.
Can I avoid or delay a shoulder replacement?
Often, yes. Many patients with shoulder arthritis manage their symptoms for years with conservative care: physical therapy and strengthening, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and corticosteroid or other targeted shoulder injections. Aptiva Health's stepped-care approach is built around finding the least-invasive treatment that works, and surgery is recommended only when conservative care no longer controls the pain.
Am I too young for a shoulder replacement?
Age alone does not decide whether shoulder replacement is appropriate. The decision is based on how much arthritis is limiting your life, how well conservative treatment has worked, and your imaging. Younger, active patients are sometimes candidates, and your surgeon weighs implant longevity against your current pain and function. Many younger patients first exhaust conservative care and other shoulder-preserving options.
What are the risks of shoulder replacement surgery?
Shoulder replacement is a common and highly successful surgery, but like any operation it carries risks, which can include infection, nerve injury, dislocation, stiffness, and, over the long term, implant wear or loosening. Reverse shoulder replacement has a different risk profile than anatomic replacement. Aptiva Health reviews your individual risk factors before surgery and uses established protocols to minimize complications, and your surgeon discusses the specific risks and benefits for your situation.
Who performs shoulder replacement surgery at Aptiva Health Louisville?
Shoulder replacement at Aptiva Health Louisville is performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Shawn Price focuses on arthritis care and partial, anatomic, and reverse joint replacement, and Dr. J. Steve Smith, Director of Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, treats the full range of shoulder conditions including shoulder arthritis. Conservative care, shoulder injections, and pre- and post-operative management are provided by orthopedic physician assistant Michael Gilbert, PA-C, and orthopedic nurse practitioner Rebecca Kostyo, APRN.
Does Medicare and insurance cover shoulder replacement?
Shoulder replacement is covered by most major medical insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Kentucky Medicaid plans when it is medically necessary. Aptiva Health verifies benefits and handles authorization before surgery so patients understand their coverage in advance.