Total Shoulder Replacement Alternative

Total Shoulder Resurfacing (TSR) is a great alternative to conventional total shoulder replacement for younger or older highly active patients. With TSR there are no weight restrictions or activity restrictions unlike with a convention replacement. 

With a conventional total shoulder replacement the ball or humeral head is cut off removing the arthritis and replaced with a stem and a ball. The socket or glenoid is reamed down removing the arthritis and a plastic socket is cemented on top the bone or "onlay". Over time with a younger or highly active older patient the socket will loosen early and need revised or redone due to the "Rocking" of the socket on the bone. This is the problem with conventional total shoulder replacement in the younger or active older population. Some studies have shown a 50% revision rate only at 5 years with this population. There is typically a weight restriction of 20-25lbs and also activity restrictions because of this recommended. 

With Total Shoulder Resurfacing (TSR) the ball is minimally reamed only removing the arthritis and no other bone. The socket is reamed only in the middle removing the arthritis. The socket sits inside the bone or is considered "Inlay". The rocking on the bone is not seen with an inlay and the early loosening has not been seen to occur. This allows the patient to resume activities as tolerated as well as sports, weight traing with no weight restriction! 

So in short, Total Shoulder Resurfacing or TSR is a great alternative to conventional total shoulder replacement for younger and highly active older patients because of the following:

-Less bone loss, minimally invasive

-Faster recovery, 3 months back in the gym

-Outpatient or same day surgery

-No restrictions after recovery

-Activities and sports typically as tolerated after 3 months

Dr. Thomas Kovack currently performs the most Total Shoulder Resurfacings in the country. If you think you are a good canidate for this procedure call and schedule an office or telemedicine appointment with him at 614-324-8174. You can find him at Hand and Microsurgery Associates, 1210 Gemini Pl, Columbus, Ohio 43240. You also can find out more about him and this procedure on his website: www.columbusshoulderdoc.com.

Author

Thomas Joseph Kovack, DO Thomas Joseph Kovack, DO, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery. He provides services to people living in Columbus, Ohio at Advantage Orthopedics. Dr. Kovack not only provides established surgical procedures for common shoulder, elbow, and knee problems, but is one of the few orthopedic surgeons offering the latest advanced techniques such as total shoulder resurfacing, arthroscopic biologic shoulder replacement, biologic patches for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and robotic-assisted knee replacement. Dr. Kovack completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh before attending the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating with his medical degree, Dr. Kovack undertook an internship at Ohio University at the Doctors Hospital in Columbus and stayed to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery. Having developed a particular i