Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

May 6th, 2007

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a unique surgical solution for patients with pain and dysfunction from advanced glenohumeral joint arthritis associated with severe rotator cuff deficiency either after an unsuccessful repair or in the setting of a chronic tear that has become irreparable. In the normal shoulder, the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles work together to elevate the arm. However, with massive rotator cuff tears and advanced degenerative joint disease, the normal mechanics of the shoulder are disrupted, making arm elevation difficult if not impossible.

The reverse shoulder prosthesis corrects this by providing a fixed fulcrum for the shoulder joint that allows the patient to use the deltoid muscle instead of the torn rotator cuff to lift the arm.

A few years ago Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was still in its infancy, and a number of issues needed to be resolved with this procedure. Over the past few years implant designs have improved, and surgical pearls and pitfalls have been more clearly defined such that with thorough patient evaluation and careful patient selection, complications can be minimized, and satisfactory pain relief and increased range of motion can be achieved in most patients.

As one of a select few shoulder surgeons in Rochester who perform this type of replacement, I have had the privilege of helping many elderly patients regain the ability to raise their arm overhead--even after years of not being able to do so. This is a procedure that requires significant experience and expertise. In 2009 statistics reveal that I performed more Reverse shoulder procedures than any other provider in the Rochester.

If you think that you may be a candidate for this procedure, please feel free to contact me for more information

Related Photos:

Preoperative xray showing superior elevation due to large irreparable rotator cuff tear

Xray at 14 months after Reversed arthroplasty

Related Videos:

Outcome 14 months after Reversed arthroplasty

Outcome 1 year followng reverse arthroplasty for osteoarthritis with cuff atrophy