Baptist Hospital is paving the way for less painful, more effective shoulder repair surgeries, i.e. reverse shoulder replacement.
In a recent news release, the hospital touts its strict focus on quality care for patients, collaboration with pioneer surgeons from leading medical centers, and new surgery and rehabilitation instrumentation and protocol. These components, the hospital feels, have Baptist become a leader in reverse shoulder replacement.
“Before reverse shoulder replacement was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2005, there were limited surgical options for patients with severe deterioration of the shoulder joint from the effects of arthritis and rotator cuff damage,” said Dr. Matthew Willis, an orthopedic surgeon at Baptist Hospital who is fellowship trained in disorders of the shoulder and elbow, via the news release. “It’s very useful for many people who have endured pain and limited shoulder function and been told there’s not much else that can be done for them.”
Reverse shoulder replacement isn’t right for every patient. The hospital says it is best for patients suffering from the effects of severe shoulder arthritis and irreparable torn rotator damage. It’s also beneficial for those who have had a previous shoulder replacement surgery that failed. The reverse shoulder replacement is said to cause less pain and help patients regain mobility.
Here’s how The Joint Replacement Center at Baptist Hospital describes the new procedure:
In a normal shoulder, the ball-and-socket joint includes the upper arm bone, shoulder blade and collarbone supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments that control shoulder movement. The group of muscles and tendons that form the rotator cuff allow the arm to be lifted, reach overhead or create a throwing motion. This range of motion is severely restricted when patients have severe rotator cuff damage, causing the joint to become unstable. Over time, the unstable joint can wear down the cartilage between the bones, resulting in osteoarthritis.
A reverse shoulder replacement is unique because it goes against normal anatomy. The ball and socket position are switched with the implant to increase stability. A new shoulder joint is created by an implant that is designed so the socket goes where the ball was and the ball where the socket was in order to re-establish the mechanical advantage to the remaining muscle. The procedure is not recommended for all shoulder replacement patients because the range of motion is typically not on par with that of a conventional shoulder replacement.
According to the news release, the reverse shoulder replacement has changed the life of 62-year-old Rickie Puckett of Dickson, Tenn. Puckett’s rotator cuff was considered “too damaged to repair.” He had suffered from arthritis and a series of torn rotator cuff injuries.
“My shoulder no longer hurts like it did before and I’m able to be active now. I’ve regained my strength. This procedure has really helped me relieve pain that I’ve had for several years,” Puckett said via the release.
The Joint Replacement Center at Baptist Hospital includes a team of surgeons, orthopedic certified nurses, patient care technicians, case managers and physical therapists. From education to surgery to rehabilitation, the center emphasizes the “team” approach to patient care. The hospital says this approach gives patients a better understanding of their condition. It also helps restore mobility and improves patients’ overall quality of life.
For more information about reverse shoulder replacement or traditional shoulder replacement, call (615) 284-BONE or visit www.baptisthospital.com/orthopedics.
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