ORTHOPEDICS + SPORTS MEDICINE
Shoulder Replacement in Sarasota, FL
Total and Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement, Including Robotic-Assisted Surgery, by Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeons
Shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff damage steal the things you reach for: the tennis serve, the top shelf, a full night of sleep on your side. When medication, injections, and therapy no longer provide enough relief, shoulder replacement can restore the motion that pain has taken.
At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, shoulder replacement is performed by board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons recognized by Castle Connolly as 2026 Top Doctors. Our team performs total and reverse total shoulder replacement, including robotic-assisted procedures, at our Sarasota location.
Is It Time to Consider Shoulder Replacement?
Not every painful shoulder needs a replacement, and our first recommendation is often nonsurgical. A complete evaluation determines whether your symptoms come from arthritis, a rotator cuff tear, a frozen shoulder, or another condition.
Replacement becomes a consideration when pain regularly limits reaching, lifting, or sleep, when stiffness keeps increasing despite treatment, when injections and therapy no longer provide lasting relief, or when imaging shows advanced arthritis or irreparable rotator cuff damage.
Total Shoulder Replacement
Total shoulder replacement resurfaces the ball-and-socket joint with smooth implants, relieving the bone-on-bone grinding of advanced arthritis. It relies on a healthy rotator cuff to power the new joint, which is why a careful evaluation of your cuff comes first.
Surgical planning accounts for your bone quality, cuff condition, and the activities you want back. Most patients begin guided motion early, with a staged rehabilitation plan from there.
At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart, total shoulder replacement is performed by Dr. Christopher Sforzo and Dr. Christopher Dillingham, both fellowship-trained in shoulder surgery. Dr. Sforzo has discussed shoulder injuries and treatment options on ABC7’s Suncoast View.
Dr. Christopher Sforzo discusses shoulder injuries and treatment on ABC7’s Suncoast View.
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
A reverse total shoulder replacement switches the position of the ball and socket, allowing the deltoid muscle to power the arm instead of a damaged rotator cuff. It is often the right option when the cuff is torn beyond repair, when arthritis and cuff damage occur together, or after certain complex fractures. Your evaluation determines which design fits your shoulder.
Robotic-Assisted Shoulder Replacement
Dr. Christopher Dillingham has brought robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery to Sarasota, an advanced option for patients seeking precise, personalized joint care. Detailed imaging is used to plan implant size and position around your specific anatomy before surgery begins.
Robotic assistance is a planning and precision tool. Your surgeon guides the procedure and remains in control of every step and every decision. Dr. Dillingham has discussed this technology on ABC7’s Suncoast View.
Dr. Christopher Dillingham on bringing robotic-assisted shoulder replacement to Sarasota.
What to Expect: From Consultation to Recovery
Before Surgery
Your evaluation covers shoulder motion, strength, and rotator cuff condition, with X-rays and often a CT scan mapping where the damage lives. A medical evaluation makes sure existing health conditions are managed before surgery.
Surgery and the First Weeks
Early recovery starts in a sling with gentle, guided motion. Rehabilitation is staged deliberately: protecting the shoulder first, restoring motion next, then rebuilding strength. Many patients resume light daily activities within several weeks.
Physical Therapy
Recovery depends on restoring the strength and movement needed to use your new shoulder well. Our physical and occupational therapy team coordinates your rehabilitation directly with your surgeon, in the same practice, so nothing gets lost between offices.
Prefer to Start Without Surgery?
Not ready for a shoulder replacement, or not a candidate yet? We offer nonsurgical options including activity modification, injections, and orthobiologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma. Every option is presented honestly, including what the evidence supports and what it does not.
Why Patients Choose Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart
- Board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons, recognized by Castle Connolly as 2026 Top Doctors
- Robotic-assisted shoulder replacement technology for precise, personalized implant placement
- Appointments built around you: morning, lunch-hour, or afternoon, often within the week
- If you call with a fracture or urgent injury, we work you in
- On-site physical therapy, imaging, and a team that walks you from consult through recovery
From my first consultation with Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, I knew I was in good hands. The surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, which gave me the confidence in achieving a successful outcome.
— Bob Kirschner
Shoulder Replacement FAQs
Our hallmark is patient service. Appointments are scheduled around your preferences, morning, lunch hour, or afternoon, and urgent problems are worked in. Call (941) 378-5100 or request an appointment online.
Yes. We work with Medicare and most major insurance plans. Our team verifies your coverage before your visit so there are no surprises.
A total replacement keeps the shoulder’s normal ball-and-socket arrangement and relies on a healthy rotator cuff. A reverse replacement switches the ball and socket so the deltoid muscle powers the arm, which is often the right choice when the cuff is badly damaged. Imaging and examination determine which fits your shoulder.
Most patients wear a sling for the first several weeks while guided motion begins, resume light daily activities gradually, and continue building strength for months. Your commitment to the staged therapy plan strongly influences the result.
Robotic assistance is a planning and precision tool, not a different operation. Whether it fits your case depends on your anatomy and your surgeon’s evaluation, and it is discussed openly at your consultation.
A replaced shoulder is designed to relieve pain and restore function. Most patients return to daily tasks, swimming, and golf. Heavy overhead labor and high-load lifting are discussed individually with your surgeon.
Get Back to Reaching, Lifting, and Sleeping Comfortably
Schedule an evaluation with our shoulder replacement team in Sarasota. Morning, lunch-hour, and afternoon appointments available.