CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER INTRODUCES
REVERSE TOTAL SHOULDER REPLACEMENT
Technique provides new surgical option for select patients
T
housands of people in the United States suffer from
severe shoulder pain and disability that compromises
work, sleep and simple daily activities – from dressing
to unloading a bag of groceries. For many of these patients,
total joint replacement is an effective and desirable treatment
option. Unfortunately, however, individuals with torn rotator
cuffs and certain other complications are not candidates for
conventional surgery and have found little or no relief from
other therapies. Until now.
Chilton Medical Center recently introduced reverse total
shoulder replacement, a groundbreaking procedure that offers
a new approach for eliminating shoulder pain while restoring
joint function and improving a patient’s quality of life.
Daphne E. Pinkas, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery, performed the first reverse
total shoulder replacement at Chilton late last year. Dr. Pinkas
is one of only a few doctors in northern New Jersey who is
trained, skilled and highly experienced in the technique.
“Reverse total shoulder replacement, also called shoulder
arthroplasty, represents a huge advancement and the only
surgical option for many patients,” states Dr. Pinkas. “In the
past, individuals with large, irreparable rotator cuff tears,
substantial bone loss, severe arthritis and/or a history of failed
shoulder replacement surgery had to live with pain or loss of
function.”
Dr. Pinkas explains that a healthy shoulder relies on the
rotator cuff to raise and rotate the arm. When those muscles
and tendons are not intact, conventional shoulder replacement will not work. The joint would remain unstable, leaving
the patient with considerable discomfort, weakness and/or
insufficient range of motion.
Reverse total shoulder replacement provides an alternative
approach by changing the mechanics of the artificial joint,
and thus changing the way it moves. The position of the ball
and socket are reversed, so that the metal ball is attached to
the shoulder bone and the plastic socket is attached to the
upper arm bone. With this new design, the shoulder can
function without the rotator cuff by using the deltoid muscle
to lift the arm instead.
The recovery for reverse total shoulder replacement is
similar to conventional surgery, requiring about three months
to achieve optimal results. However, Dr. Pinkas points out
that patients plagued by severe shoulder pain will notice a
difference the very next day.
Reverse total shoulder replacement may be recommended
for individuals who cannot undergo conventional joint
replacement surgery and have already tried medication,
cortisone injections, physical therapy and other unsuccessful
treatments.
“In many cases, reverse total shoulder replacement offers
a solution where none existed before,” asserts Dr. Pinkas.
“The procedure has completely revolutionized shoulder
replacement for select patients, giving them the opportunity
to once again live without pain or disability.” ❖
To learn more about reverse total shoulder replacement,
visit www.atlantichealth.org/chilton or call 1-800-247-9580
for a referral to a skilled Chilton orthopedic surgeon.
Supplement to wayne magazine