Orthopedic Surgery - Essentia Health-Duluth (Miller-Dwan, Building D)

Patient Outcomes for Total Shoulder Replacement

Total Shoulder Replacement Surgeries (Outpatient & Inpatient)

Total shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pain and restore movement in a severely damaged shoulder joint, most often due to arthritis or injury. During surgery, the worn-out ball-and-socket parts of the shoulder are replaced with smooth artificial components to improve comfort and function. The procedure typically takes 1–2 hours and is performed under anesthesia, often with a nerve block to help control pain afterward.

Depending on your overall health and support at home, surgery may be done as an outpatient procedure (going home the same day) or inpatient (staying in the hospital overnight or longer for monitoring). Recovery includes wearing a sling and participating in physical therapy, with most patients experiencing significant pain relief and improved mobility over several months.

In 2025, our orthopedic surgery team performed 206 total shoulder replacement surgeries which is an increase of twenty-nine surgeries year-over-year.

Same-Day Discharge Rate (Outpatient & Inpatient)

Same-day discharge rate refers to how often patients are able to safely go home on the same day as their surgery. For certain procedures—like joint replacements—many patients can recover comfortably at home without needing to stay overnight in the hospital. Being discharged the same day depends on several factors, including your overall health, how well your pain is controlled, your mobility after surgery, and whether you have support at home.

For some patients, an overnight hospital stay (inpatient care) may be recommended for closer monitoring or additional recovery time. Your surgical team carefully evaluates each individual to determine the safest option. The goal is always to ensure you are medically stable, comfortable, and confident in your recovery plan before going home.

In 2025, 34% of patients were able to go home on the same day as their surgery.

Readmission Rate (Outpatient & Inpatient)

Readmission rate refers to how often patients need to return to the hospital within a certain period of time—usually within 30 days—after their surgery. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as infection, uncontrolled pain, blood clots, or other unexpected complications. A lower readmission rate generally indicates that patients are recovering well and that their care plan, discharge instructions, and follow-up support are effective.

Whether your procedure is done as an outpatient (going home the same day) or inpatient (staying overnight or longer), your care team takes steps to reduce the risk of readmission. This includes careful patient selection, thorough discharge instructions, pain management planning, and close follow-up after surgery. The goal is to support a smooth, safe recovery at home and minimize the need for additional hospital visits.

In 2025, only 4% of patients needed unplanned follow-up care within the first month after surgery.