Understand surgery, recovery, and care coordination in China
Shoulder Replacement
CMT Health coordinates access to shoulder-care information and practical arrangements for international patients. Clinical assessment, personalized treatment planning, surgery, and rehabilitation decisions remain with the receiving hospital and clinicians.
Discuss language, time, destination, and itinerary preferences. Do not submit medical records, images, or attachments here.
Includes preoperative tests, hospitalization, and early recovery; actual timing depends on hospital assessment.
Converted at CNY 7 = USD 1. Costs vary by implant type and individual needs and are subject to individual assessment; the receiving hospital’s itemized written estimate prevails.
Treatment Advantages In China
Reverse Shoulder Replacement To Solve Complex Rotator Cuff Injuries
For patients with huge rotator cuff tears and other problems that are difficult to treat with traditional surgery, a professional team can evaluate reverse shoulder joint replacement and reconstruct shoulder joint function through a reverse design.
Rich Surgical Experience And Mature Technical System
Orthopedic centers have experience with shoulder replacements and can combine computer assistance with 3D imaging for preoperative planning and prosthesis positioning.
The Hospital Stay Is Short And Supports Remote Follow-Up
The reference hospital stay for surgery is 1-3 days, and rehabilitation and remote follow-up can be connected after discharge; the actual period will be evaluated by the receiving hospital.
The Cost Range Is Clear, And The Plan Can Be Selected According To Your Needs.
The cost of half shoulder, total shoulder and reverse shoulder replacement depends on the choice of prosthesis. Before signing the contract, the written plan and quotation provided by the receiving hospital shall prevail.
Get To Know Quickly
Basic Information
View detailsLearn about the goals of shoulder replacement, common symptoms, and who should be evaluated.
Surgery Details
View detailsUnderstand the surgical procedure, prosthesis types and individualized surgical options.
Postoperative Recovery
View detailsLearn about recovery in China, stage timeline, and ongoing arrangements after returning home.
Care Journey
- 01
Remote Consultation And Matching
Our care coordination team will help you confirm the receiving hospital's requirements for preparing materials and the appropriate submission channel.
- 02
Trip Planning And Preparation
Assist with processing medical visas, booking air tickets, and coordinating non-clinical arrangements such as accommodation near the hospital.
- 03
Arrival Services
Arrange arrival services such as airport pick-up and check-in assistance.
- 04
Accompanying The Whole Process Of Diagnosis And Treatment In The Hospital
From examination, outpatient consultation to admission, we provide medical interpreting and on-site coordination.
- 05
Surgery And Rehabilitation Implementation
The operation will be performed by the receiving hospital team, and the patient will enter the individualized recovery stage based on assessment.
- 06
Discharge And Continuing Care
A home recovery plan and follow-up arrangements are provided.
Medical team
Review hospitals and specialists with relevant experience in this treatment. Availability, team composition, and admission arrangements must be confirmed with the receiving hospital.
Hospitals
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
Beijing
Its orthopedics, hand surgery, and sports medicine programs include seven national key clinical specialties; it became a principal National Center for Orthopedics hospital in 2022.
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Shanghai
Known for the world's first successful limb replantation, its orthopedic program is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty.
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Chengdu
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1946, is a Ministry of Education key discipline, a national key clinical specialty, and an orthopedic specialist training center.
Peking University Third Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics is a national key clinical specialty, while its Institute of Sports Medicine is among China's earliest sports-medicine institutions.
The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang
Orthopedics is among China's first national key clinical specialties and has developed into a comprehensive center with 13 subspecialties.
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai
Its orthopedic department is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty; its work in personalized 3D-printed orthopedic implants is internationally recognized.
Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Changsha
Its orthopedic department, established in 1952, is a national key clinical specialty and supports a national regional medical center for orthopedics.
Peking University People's Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics and orthopedic oncology are national key clinical specialties, and trauma orthopedics is a core department of the National Center for Trauma Medicine.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1921, helped establish orthopedics as an independent specialty in China and is a national key discipline and clinical specialty.
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wuhan
Orthopedics is included in the national key clinical specialty program, and the hospital operates a dedicated orthopedic hospital campus.
Frequently asked questions
Is the surgery effective?
The global systematic review showed that pain and functional scores after shoulder replacement were significantly improved compared with preoperative levels; the 10-year survival rate for total shoulder prostheses was approximately 92%, and for reverse shoulder prostheses, it was over 93%. Individual results depend on factors such as indication, surgical procedure, and recovery.
How long does an artificial shoulder joint last?
The long-term data show that more than 90% of total shoulder prostheses are still in use 10 years after surgery, and the 10-year survival rate of reverse shoulder prostheses is about 93.6%-94.4%; the actual service life needs to be evaluated based on individual circumstances.
Does the surgery hurt?
Multi-modal analgesic management is used; the actual anesthesia, analgesia and early mobilization plan is formulated by the receiving hospital based on the condition.
How long will it take to return to normal life?
Typically, simple activities such as eating, dressing, and washing can be gradually resumed within 2 weeks after surgery, the sling is used for 2-6 weeks of protection, and function and strength continue to recover within 3-6 months; the specific rhythm is subject to the doctor's evaluation.
Are there any risks with surgery?
Any surgery carries risks such as infection, loosening of the prosthesis, dislocation, or nerve damage. The receiving clinical team will develop perioperative prevention, monitoring and treatment plans based on the condition.
What should I do if I don’t understand the language?
Non-clinical coordination arrangements such as medical interpreting and accompanying can be arranged; the specific service scope and availability are subject to actual communication and written confirmation.
Detailed information
Basic Information
What Is Shoulder Joint Replacement?
By removing the severely damaged humeral head and/or glenoid joint surface and implanting an artificial joint prosthesis, the goal is to relieve shoulder pain, improve stability and range of motion, and help restore daily functions such as dressing, combing hair, eating, washing, and lifting objects.
Indications And Timing Of Evaluation
When persistent or recurring shoulder pain, night pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, arm weakness, or ineffective medication, injections, and rehabilitation treatments occur, it is recommended that a shoulder surgery specialist evaluate whether the surgical indications are met based on rotator cuff status, bone quality, and imaging examinations.
- Severe glenohumeral osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthropathy, or traumatic shoulder arthritis
- Avascular necrosis of the humeral head, complex fracture of the proximal humerus, or post-fracture malunion
- Severe rotator cuff tear combined with rotator cuff tear arthropathy
- Revision treatment after failed previous shoulder replacement or other surgery
Surgery Details
Visualization Of Surgical Procedures
Shoulder replacement 3D surgical video shows the main steps of incision, humeral head management, glenoid prosthesis installation, reduction and closure.
Choice Of Artificial Shoulder Joint Prosthesis
Experts will evaluate between an anatomic total shoulder, an artificial humeral head (hemishoulder), and a reverse shoulder replacement based on rotator cuff status, bone condition, age, and activity needs. Shoulder joint prostheses are purchased at government-published reference prices, and the total hospitalization cost is approximately CNY 50,000-150,000 (USD 7,143-21,429). The specific price is subject to the written quotation from the receiving hospital.
- Anatomic total shoulder replacement: suitable for patients with complete rotator cuff function
- Artificial humeral head (hemishoulder) replacement: suitable for humeral head lesions or partial complex fractures
- Reverse shoulder replacement: For evaluation of severe rotator cuff injuries, complex fractures, or revision treatment
Postoperative Recovery
Postoperative Travel Arrangements
It is not recommended to take long-distance international flights immediately after shoulder joint replacement. Whether safe flight standards are met should be evaluated by the treating doctor based on the recovery situation.
Rehabilitation Arrangements In China
Patients are typically admitted to professional rehabilitation after surgery for 1-3 days, and receive exercise therapy, functional training, physical therapy and TCM-specific rehabilitation The reference period is about 1-2 weeks.
Individualized Rehabilitation Plan
The rehabilitation team will develop and continuously adjust the rehabilitation plan based on age, bone quality, prosthesis type, underlying diseases and daily activity requirements.
- Shoulder joint mobility gradually recovers from passive to active
- Deltoid and shoulder muscle strength training
- Sling protection, posture guidance and daily living ability training
- Family training plan after returning home
Ongoing Recovery After Returning Home
Patients can connect with video follow-up consultation, online rehabilitation guidance, home training plan and remote correction of rehabilitation movements. Specific service arrangements are subject to actual communication and written confirmation.
