Arthroscopic Biological Total Shoulder Resurfacing

What is arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing?

Arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing is a form of shoulder surgery that Dr. Kovak uses to treat patients who have shoulder osteoarthritis. This revolutionary technique uses an osteochondral allograft, which is tissue from a donor bank, instead of artificial materials.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints. It typically worsens over time as the cartilage on the ends of your bones continues to wear away. Conservative approaches to treating arthritis can be effective at first, but joint deterioration can reach a stage where replacing the affected cartilage is the best option.

The most suitable candidates for arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing are under 50, physically active, and have shoulders that are still reasonably flexible despite the arthritis.

What’s involved in arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing?

Shoulder resurfacing procedures traditionally replace the surface of the end of your humerus (upper arm bone) with a metallic cap. With arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing, Dr. Kovack uses an osteochondral allograft from a donor bank that’s size-matched to each patient.

Using an osteochondral allograft means Dr. Kovack can carry out the entire procedure arthroscopically. An arthroscope is an instrument that has a miniaturized camera on the end and a light. Dr. Kovack passes the arthroscope through a small incision in your shoulder measuring about one-third of an inch. Using the images sent back from the camera, he can prepare your shoulder joint and attach the graft without needing to make any large incisions.

Using arthroscopy means Dr. Kovack doesn’t need to cut the rotator cuff, a network of muscles and tendons that keeps the shoulder joint secure. Furthermore, he only needs to remove a minimal quantity of your bone, which means that if you do need a revision or total shoulder replacement in the future, it’s easier to carry out.

What are the advantages of arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing?

There are several significant advantages to arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing compared with using metal or plastic caps.

It’s a minimally invasive form of surgery that you can undergo on an outpatient basis, so you have a far quicker recovery time and less discomfort.

Your rehabilitation after surgery takes far less time, as well. You start on physical therapy the day after surgery, and patients find they can quickly return to activities they haven’t been capable of for years.

Using osteochondral allografts rather than metal or plastic caps provides a better match to your tissues and gives you improved function compared with artificial materials.

Dr. Kovack is one of the few surgeons offering this innovative surgery, which has only been available for the past couple of years. If you think arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing could help with your shoulder problem, call Advantage Orthopedics, to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.

To see pictures and videos about Arthroscopic Biologic Total Shoulder Resurfacing and Dr. Kovack’s specialized techniques, click here.

Do you suffer from Rotator Cuff Tears? Ask us how our CuffMend procedure can help.