Joint Replacement Institute

Reverse Shoulder Replacement | Naples, South Florida

Total Shoulder Replacement is an effective treatment option for patients suffering from severe shoulder arthritis; however, because of the intricacies of the shoulder joint, not all patients are candidates for a traditional shoulder replacement surgery. More specifically, patients with a combination of shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff damage, known as rotator cuff arthropathy, may be candidates for reverse total shoulder treatment.

Shoulder Surgery Excellence in Naples, South Florida

Dr. Kurtis Biggs is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Fellowship training in total joint replacement at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Biggs has years of practical experience treating musculoskeletal conditions affecting the shoulder, including rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, shoulder arthritis, and others. Dr. Biggs proudly serves the South Florida region, including Golden Gate, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and Port Charlotte.

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Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: the scapula (shoulder blade), the clavicle (collarbone), and the humerus (upper arm bone). The humeral head acts as the ball of the joint and sits within the glenoid, a shallow socket located on the scapula. Lining the glenoid is a soft fibrous tissue, known as the labrum. The labrum stabilizes the shoulder joint and deepens the socket to allow the humeral head to fit more comfortably. A network of muscles, known as the rotator cuff, attach the shoulder to the glenohumeral joint and provide additional stability to the shoulder.

Traditional Shoulder Replacement

In a traditional shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged bone and cartilage are replaced with a prosthetic joint meant to mimic the function of the natural shoulder joint. During the operation, the humeral head is removed and replaced with a metal ball attached to a stem, which is inserted down the center of the humerus. The glenoid, or socket, is resurfaced to remove the damaged bone scraps and capped with a prosthetic socket. With the diseased portions of bone and ligament removed, pain is alleviated and joint function is restored.

Rotator Cuff Arthropathy

Patients suffering from rotator cuff arthropathy exhibit both arthritis and a significant rotator cuff defect, which is often irreparable. The combination of rotator cuff damage and shoulder arthritis prohibits the patient from raising the arm to the shoulder level, and makes it difficult to perform routine daily activities. Patients are unable to perform personal hygiene activities and open doors properly without experiencing significant pain, discomfort, and instability.

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Because of the comorbid nature of rotator cuff arthropathy, a total shoulder replacement is not a feasible solution. Instead, these patients are better treated with reverse total shoulder replacement. Reverse shoulder surgery is similar to traditional shoulder replacement; however, the positions of the ball and socket are reversed to allow the deltoid muscle to compensate for the rotator cuff's weakness and instability. The result is a newly constructed joint that imitates the function of the original shoulder joint, as well as alleviation of painful and debilitating symptoms.