| New Hope for Irreparable Shoulder Tears |
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One of the first reverse shoulder replacements done in Northern Michigan was performed by Dr. Sudhir B. Rao of Big Rapids Orthopaedics in May 2006. Since then several patients have undergone the procedure. Since these shoulders typically have been dysfunctional for a long time, recovery takes several months and involves physical and occupational therapy. Once healing and rehabilitation has been achieved the patient will have relief of pain and regain the ability to raise his or her arm.
What is a Reverse Shoulder Replacement?
In the last two years, this new type of shoulder replacement has become available in the US. The "reverse" shoulder replacement was first developed in France and has evolved mostly in Europe to its current form. The simple but unconventional design of the implant involves reversing the normal ball and socket relationship in the shoulder joint. This increases the mechanical advantage of the intact deltoid muscle and substitutes for the absent rotator cuff muscle. The reverse shoulder replacement is only indicated for older patients with severe arthritis and an absent rotator cuff. The procedure is highly technical and only surgeons who have completed a special training course are eligible to perform the operation.
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In the healthy shoulder, the upper arm bone (humerus) ends in a ball shape. This fits into a socket formed by the shoulder blade (scapula). Together this ball and socket form the shoulder. |
| With the Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis, the anatomy, or structure, of the healthy shoulder is reversed. The implant is designed so that the ball portion is attached to the scapula and the socket is placed at the upper end of the humerus.
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| If you have any questions about how this procedure can benefit you, call Big Rapids Orthopaedics, P.C. at (231) 796-6721. |
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