Shoulder Replacement in Northern Kentucky
Aptiva Health provides comprehensive shoulder replacement care in Northern Kentucky — 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 D. Philip Stickney, MD, August 2026.Schedule your appointment today!
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 Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky
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 Northern Kentucky offers same-week orthopedic appointments — patients do not wait months to be seen.
On-site imaging and therapy across Northern Kentucky. 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 Northern Kentucky Shoulder Replacement Provider
D. Philip Stickney, MD — Orthopedic Surgery.
D. Philip Stickney, MD, a board -certified orthopedic surgeon, has been providing general orthopedic care for over 25 years. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with orthopedic surgery training at Mt. Sinai in Cleveland and Akron General Medical Center in Akron, Ohio. He treats a variety of conditions from arthritis to sports medicine and occupational injuries.
Schedule a Shoulder Replacement Consultation in Northern Kentucky — Schedule Now
Aptiva Health – Northern Kentucky: 2093 Medical Arts Drive, Hebron, KY 41048
Drive times:
5 minutes from CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport)
10 minutes from Florence, KY via I-71/75
12 minutes from Burlington and Union via KY-237
15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati via I-275 East
18 minutes from Covington and Newport
20 minutes from Anderson Township and Mt. Washington (OH)
25 minutes from Price Hill, Westwood, and Delhi Township
30 minutes from Florence Mall and the Boone County line south
Communities we routinely serve: Hebron, Florence, Burlington, Union, Walton, Erlanger, Edgewood, Crestview Hills, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Independence, Covington, Newport, Fort Thomas, Cold Spring, Alexandria, Highland Heights, and across the river in Cincinnati, Anderson Township, Delhi Township, Cheviot, Price Hill, and Westwood.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Walk-in injury care availability may vary; call ahead to confirm.
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 Northern Kentucky
What is the difference between anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement?
An anatomic total shoulder replacement keeps the shoulder’s normal ball-and-socket relationship, with an implant replacing the damaged joint surfaces. This approach generally depends on a functioning rotator cuff.
A reverse shoulder replacement changes the orientation of the ball and socket so the deltoid muscle can help power the arm when the rotator cuff is significantly damaged or no longer functioning well. D. Philip Stickney, MD reviews your exam and imaging to determine which type of shoulder replacement may be appropriate for you.
Who is a candidate for reverse shoulder replacement?
Reverse shoulder replacement may be considered for patients with severe shoulder arthritis and a rotator cuff that is no longer functioning well, as well as for certain complex fractures, failed prior shoulder replacements, and other advanced shoulder conditions.
The right procedure depends on your symptoms, shoulder function, rotator cuff condition, imaging, and overall goals. Dr. Stickney can help determine whether reverse shoulder replacement or another treatment option is appropriate.
How do I know if I need a shoulder replacement?
Shoulder replacement may be considered when arthritis causes persistent pain, stiffness, or loss of function that interferes with everyday activities and has not improved enough with conservative treatment.
Common concerns may include pain at rest or at night, difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back, and limitations with dressing, grooming, work, or recreation. Your Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky orthopedic team will review your symptoms, physical exam, and imaging to help determine whether replacement should be considered.
How long does a shoulder replacement last?
Shoulder replacement implants are designed for long-term use, but implant longevity varies from patient to patient. Factors such as activity level, overall health, implant type, and the condition of the surrounding muscles and tendons can affect how long a replacement lasts.
Your surgeon can discuss what to expect based on your individual situation and the type of shoulder replacement being considered.
How long is recovery after shoulder replacement surgery?
Recovery after shoulder replacement is gradual and varies depending on the type of procedure, your overall health, and your progress in rehabilitation.
A sling may be used during the early stages of healing, followed by a structured physical therapy program to restore motion, strength, and function. Your Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky orthopedic team will provide individualized guidance for returning to work, driving, exercise, and daily activities.
Will I get full range of motion back after shoulder replacement?
The goal of shoulder replacement is to improve pain and function, but the amount of motion regained varies from patient to patient.
Some patients may regain substantial functional motion for everyday activities such as dressing, reaching, driving, and household tasks. Results depend on factors such as the condition of the rotator cuff, the type of replacement, pre-surgical stiffness, and rehabilitation progress. Your surgeon will discuss realistic expectations based on your shoulder before surgery.
Is shoulder replacement an outpatient surgery?
Some shoulder replacement procedures may be performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis for appropriately selected patients. Whether same-day discharge is appropriate depends on the type of procedure, your overall health, recovery after surgery, and support available at home.
Your Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky surgical team will explain what to expect before surgery.
Can I avoid or delay a shoulder replacement?
Often, yes. Many patients with shoulder arthritis can manage symptoms with non-surgical treatment for a period of time.
Options may include physical therapy, activity modification, medication, and targeted shoulder injections when appropriate. Aptiva Health's stepped-care approach focuses on using conservative treatment first when it is appropriate and considering surgery when those options no longer provide enough relief.
Am I too young for a shoulder replacement?
Age alone does not determine whether shoulder replacement is appropriate.
Your surgeon considers the severity of arthritis, how much your symptoms affect your daily life, the condition of your shoulder structures, your activity level, previous treatment, and imaging. Younger patients may first explore conservative care and shoulder-preserving options when appropriate.
What are the risks of shoulder replacement surgery?
Like any surgery, shoulder replacement has potential risks. These can include infection, stiffness, nerve injury, dislocation, implant wear, loosening, or the need for additional surgery.
Anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement also have different considerations and risk profiles. Dr. Stickney will review the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives based on your individual health and shoulder condition before surgery.
Who performs shoulder replacement surgery at Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky?
Shoulder replacement care at Aptiva Health Northern Kentucky is led by D. Philip Stickney, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who treats a wide range of shoulder conditions, including arthritis and degenerative shoulder problems.
Dr. Stickney provides both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic care and works with Aptiva Health’s imaging and physical therapy teams to coordinate treatment from initial evaluation through rehabilitation.
Does Medicare and insurance cover shoulder replacement?
Coverage for shoulder replacement depends on your individual insurance plan, benefits, medical necessity, and authorization requirements.
Aptiva Health works with many major commercial insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid plans, workers' compensation, and auto-injury coverage. The Aptiva Health team can help verify benefits and discuss anticipated coverage before treatment.