Wear and tear, injury, certain medical conditions, and aging can negatively impact shoulder function, and often, surgery can be avoided as many people respond well to non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy or injections. In some cases, surgery to repair torn tendons may be necessary.
But at other times, the shoulder condition may worsen beyond these options. In the past, this would lead to chronic pain and weakness. Now, there are new treatments specifically designed for more advanced shoulder problems.
Introducing a balloon to stabilize the shoulder
According to "Medical Express", among the newly developed treatments is a small device (balloon) which is introduced into the space where the rotator cuff usually exists and has been damaged, and the introduction is done using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.
In this case, an orthopedic surgeon may use a "balloon spacer" under the shoulder.
Superior capsular reconstruction
Also, as an alternative, a surgeon might implant a graft made of specialized tissue from a donor to cover or "patch" the upper part of the shoulder joint. This procedure is called superior capsular reconstruction and works similarly to the balloon to provide cushioning in the place of the rotator cuff.
After surgery, a physical therapy specialist assists the patient in retraining their muscles to move the shoulder using more effective mechanisms.
Typically, recovery from these procedures is quicker because the tendons do not need to heal as is the case in traditional rotator cuff surgery.
3D Printing for Shoulder Replacement
The latest technology involves the use of implants specifically designed with 3D printing technology, allowing the surgeon to alter the shoulder mechanisms to enable other muscles to move it.
This is a last resort treatment for patients suffering from severe arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears, or any other shoulder damage.
Since each shoulder is different, how well the replacement implant fits the shoulder anatomy and its placement plays a major role in the success of reverse shoulder replacement.
The surgeon can choose from a variety of metal and plastic implants available in different shapes and sizes. The 3D printed shoulder model helps the orthopedic surgeon to precisely place the implant.
The process begins with a CT scan before surgery to generate a 3D model of the shoulder on a computer.
This allows the surgeon to see how the implant will be positioned, how to preserve as much bone as possible, and how to determine the best way to fix the implant.
During surgery, the surgeon places the 3D guide on the bone to accurately position the implant as planned.
3D modeling also helps the surgeon determine if the patient needs a custom implant.
Creating a Custom Implant
In most cases, the surgeon can choose a standard implant that gives the patient the shoulder function they need. However, for some patients, their anatomy or bone damage does not allow a standard implant to be fitted appropriately, and an ill-fitting implant may fail, leading to more surgery.
In these cases, an implant can be created to precisely fit the patient.
