A Case Study: A Reverse Replacement for Glenohumeral Osteo-Arthritis
A 65 year old gentleman who is in very good physical condition came to see me with severe right shoulder pain which had been troubling him for 6 months. He had previous shoulder surgery to this shoulder 10 years ago. He said that he has been aware of his shoulder for some time but it got worse. He complained of night pain and sleep deprivation.
On examination he had a full range of motion with positive rotator cuff signs. He also had pain in abduction and external rotation.
I did an ultrasound and found that he had a torn supraspinatus tendon and that this was retracted. X-rays were requested that showed an elevated humeral head and anchors from his previously repaired rotator cuff.
Diagnosis and Treatment
I offered the patient a reverse shoulder replacement to treat this rotator cuff arthropothy.
A CT scan of his right shoulder shows the superior migration of his humeral head. 2 The postoperative X-ray of the reverse shoulder replacement with the ball (Glenosphere) now situated on the socket joint and the socket situated in the humerus.
The patient day one post-surgery
His follow up 3 weeks later
