All types of shoulder arthroplasty are commonly performed through an incision between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles, crossing over the tip of the coracoid.
This approach provides excellent and extensile access to the shoulder.
It is best to avoid the axillary skin folds, because this skin will be stretched when the patient starts their shoulder motion rehabilitation. Incisions that intersect the axillary creases can result in hypertropic healing which is cosmetically unappealing and can restrict comfortable shoulder motion.
