High Tech Spot - Dr. Meadows talks about Reverse Shoulder Replacement – Relief in sight for sufferers of chronic shoulder pain.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty) is a relatively new procedure that can bring a substantial decrease in shoulder pain and significant increase in function to your shoulder, if it is right for you. There are not many doctors in South Florida who perform this procedure, because it is necessary to receive specialized training. It has existed in France , where it originated, for about 14 years and has been popularized in the United State in the last five years. I have been performing traditional shoulder replacements since 1994, and I was excited to specialize in this useful procedure.

A Reverse Shoulder Replacement can be of benefit for you if you are suffering from long-standing rotator cuff degeneration that makes it difficult to lift your arm. Reverse Shoulder Replacement is necessary when degeneration is caused by a lack of a functioning rotator cuff over time. This can often be diagnosed with a simple X-ray.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement differs from traditional shoulder replacements in that the “socket” of the shoulder is replaced with the “ball,” and vice versa, allowing the intact muscles around the shoulder to lift the arm. In effect, we are bypassing the non-functioning rotator cuff and relying on the deltoid muscle to lift the arm.

This can provide substantial improvement in function and reduction in pain that, in this case, a traditional procedure could not. Within weeks, my Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty patients report less pain and better function than they've experienced in quite some time.

For more information about Reverse Shoulder Replacement, or to find out if you are a candidate, call our office for a consultation with Dr. Meadows at (561) 496 – 6622 .  To learn more about Dr. Meadows, click here.