Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Baptist Health La Grange: Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Orthopedic surgeon Nicholas Kenney, MD, details how he uses the reverse shoulder replacement procedure to stabilize and restore function in patients with rotator cuff injuries.

Reverse Shoulder Replacement Health Talks Transcript

Nicholas A. Kenney, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
The shoulder issues that a patient would have could come from a traumatic injury, it could come from a fall, they could come from simple wear and tear over time, or overuse of their arm. There are standard total shoulder replacements, which is for a patient who has a rotator cuff that is actually functioning, and then reverse shoulder replacement, which is truly indicated for a patient who not only has a problem with shoulder arthritis, but a rotator cuff that is not providing the function they need. A reverse shoulder replacement involves reversing the components of the shoulder joint itself, so we will actually put an implant onto the native socket side that actually looks more like a ball and creates a functional pivot point for the shoulder, and then on the arm bone side we actually put a socket where the normal anatomy would have a ball or a pivot point on that side, and it creates a greater stability to the shoulder joint that by nature is actually a very unstable joint. At Baptist Health La Grange, we’re able to provide the full spectrum of care, and all the different facets and areas that are involved with the treatment of a patient with an orthopedic condition, and we do all of our follow-up here in one location. So, the patient is really able to come here and obtain the full array of care that they need from start to finish to get them back where they need to be.