Postponing a medically necessary shoulder replacement can lead to severe, irreversible joint degeneration, progressive bone erosion, and chronic muscle atrophy of the rotator cuff. As cartilage completely wears away, bone-on-bone friction intensifies, causing debilitating pain, permanent loss of range of motion, and structural joint deformity. Furthermore, if the rotator cuff tendons tear completely and retract over time, surgeons may lose the option of a standard anatomical replacement and be forced to perform a more complex reverse shoulder arthroplasty.