Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Surgery can reduce or eliminate pain.
This will provide you with significant improvement in pain relief and function of this joint.
Travel to Spain is allowed for medical reasons
Specialities | Traumatology | Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Surgery consists of replacing the damaged joint that causes pain and prevents normal life with a prosthesis, using minimally invasive techniques, modern implants and blood salvage systems.
This surgery will help you regain the mobility of your shoulder and increase its range of motion.
VidasPrime puts at your disposal the most qualified surgeons with extensive experience in the Shoulder Unit. These renowned doctors bet on the implantation of shoulder prostheses with minimally invasive surgeries in the ball and socket joints.
Thanks to this technique, the recovery is much faster than the conventional procedure, while minimizing pain, incision size and hospital stay.
In addition, in our clinics we have the most advanced diagnostic equipment and we offer you a quick access without waiting lists.
Our priority is that your functional recovery after surgery allows you to return as soon as possible to your usual activities and sports without pain.
Can we help you?
In a few moments, one of our specialists will contact you.
Bob Hall
United Kingdom
Bob kindly came in to tell us about his shoulder replacement the day after hospital discharge and also why Madrid is a lovely city to stay in whilst recovering.
Treatment characteristics
The most common indication for a person to have shoulder surgery is shoulder pain that cannot be controlled with non-surgical treatments.
Such pain is often accompanied by progressive stiffness and loss of movement, with patients often experiencing a grinding or crunching sensation within the shoulder joint.
Some of the signs that shoulder replacement may be an option for you include:
- The inability to get dressed on your own.
- Moderate to severe pain while resting.
- Loss of motion and weakness in your shoulder.
- Continued pain even after taking anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections.
Furthermore, if you have bone on bone osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tendons that are still intact, you might be a good candidate for total shoulder replacement surgery.
Yes, you’re gonna need to wear a special sling that protects and immobilizes your shoulder for 4-8 weeks.
The sling provides support, decreases swelling, and increases comfort as the shoulder heals.
You must use the sling even in bed, so it is best to lie on the opposite side or on your back to avoid putting your weight on the injured area and to adopt a posture, preferably vertical, raising the torso with pillows and cushions.
Expect your new shoulder joint to reduce the pain you felt before your surgery and increase the range of movement in the joint.
Shoulder arthroplasty is generally a safe operation, with a lower incidence of complications than knee or hip replacement.
Shoulder prosthesis durability can vary from patient to patient because each patient’s body places slightly different stresses on the new shoulder.
However, the average patient can expect to obtain greater mobility and freedom from pain, which in turn will improve one’s quality of life.
The minimally invasive surgery can significantly reduce the length of your stay in Spain to several days.
The rehabilitation period after shoulder replacement surgery is approximately 3-6 months.
The rehabilitation programme is adapted to your physiological characteristics. If you wish, you can attend a complete rehabilitation course in one of our clinics in Spain.
After your return to your country, you will continue the rehabilitation programme according to the plan drawn up in Spain.
Most patients have regained a very good level of function about eight months after the procedure.
The total rehabilitation period after shoulder replacement may take from several months to one year.
Total Shoulder Replacement
How is the surgery?
The shoulder is made up of two bones: the arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula). The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.
The shoulder is considered the most mobile joint in the human body, but also the most susceptible to instability and injury.
Total Shoulder Replacement is a procedure used to the treat severe pain and stiffness resulting from end stage arthritis of the shoulder.
The surgery involves replacing the damaged humeral head (or joint “ball”) with a metal balland putting a new smooth plastic surface on the glenoid (socket).
The procedure, which is performed through a delto-pectoral approach normally takes around 2 hours, requires a general anaesthetic and a hospital stay of 2-3 days.
After surgery: hospital admission is usually 48 hours for pain and bleeding control.
When you are discharged, your doctor will inform you of the guidelines to follow, the cures you need, medical treatment, whether or not you can move your shoulder, and the need for physical therapy.

Before and during your treatment in Spain
Before your treatment
- Our specialized doctors study your request and contact you.
- Keep your medical history up to date (up to 6 months old).
- Prepare the necessary documentation: ID, Passport and visas.
During your treatment
- Multilingual medical assistance 24/7.
- Transport to and from the clinic, hotel and airport.
- Daily doctor's visits at the hospital.
- 5 rehabilitation sessions after surgery.
- Adaptive or Durable Medical Equipment.
Your treatment plan
in 24-48h.
Preparing for surgery
Exercise
- It is important to keep your body strong and flexible both before and after your shoulder replacement surgery. This helps to achieve a successful outcome and recovery.
- Exercises to increase shoulder range of motion recommended by your doctor or physical therapist.
- Shoulder strength exercises recommended by your doctor or physical therapist.
- Use pain-killers and/or ice packs to reduce the pain before your exercise.
Diet and Nutrition
- A healthy diet and proper nutrition before surgery helps the healing process.
- Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.
- Eat more fiber to help avoid constipation.
- Eat foods rich in iron.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C to help the body absorb iron.
- Make sure you are getting enough calcium, which is needed to keep your bones strong.
Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Smoking and drinking alcohol can cause complications during surgery and can also contribute to post-surgical complications.
- We recommend that you refrain from these activities for at least three to eight weeks before your surgery.
Medication
- Some medications thin the blood, increasing the risk of bleeding after surgery, or interfering with healing. These medications may need to be stopped before surgery.
- If you take medications that contain aspirin, anti-inflammatory or arthritis medications, ask our medical specialists when to stop taking them.