Ironman competitions traditionally involved swimming, biking, and racing. With proper rehab and training, a shoulder replacement should not keep you out of the race. Older adults who participate in sports before surgery are more likely to return to that sport after surgery. This is when compared with patients who aren’t active before shoulder replacement.

Although swimming requires repetitive motion, it does not seem to prevent patients with total shoulder replacements from participating. The rate of implant loosening or revision surgery among swimmers is no different from non-swimmers with a shoulder implant.

In an ironman competition it can be difficult to take full strokes. With so many bodies in the water, there’s a lot of water turbulence and bumping of elbows. You may have to alter your stroke to compensate. Athletes try to conserve leg muscles for the cycling and running portions of the race. A modified stroke is also needed to enable you to lift your head above the water to see markers without interrupting your swim or wasting energy.

Expect a three to six month rehab program followed by specific training for your ironman event. A physical therapist can help you with a sports specific training program. Make sure you keep your follow-up appointments with the surgeon after the operation. This will ensure that there are no unseen complications such as implant loosening or subsidence (implant sinking down into the bone).

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

There are only two studies published on patients involved in sports and recreational activities after shoulder replacement. Both suggest from their results to expect an average of three to four months for partial return to sports. It will probably be more like six months (from the time of surgery) to full return to your game.

But the wait should be worth it. Patients who were active but limited by pain before surgery report that their game is even better after rehab and recovery. An average improvement after surgery of five strokes has been reported by other golfers who had shoulder replacement surgery. Sports specific physical therapy can be very helpful. This is the perfect opportunity to work on improving your swing and replacing bad habits with new, more effective movement patterns.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

There’s still quite a bit of debate on this point. Studies don’t show a big difference in results between these two approaches. The arthroscopic procedure is minimally invasive. There is less soft tissue disruption and a smaller incision. But there is some concern that this method leaves some people with a repair that won’t remain stable or hold up.

Surgeons tend to use open repair techniques for over-head throwing athletes. The belief is that they need a mechanically stronger repair. But there are other surgeons who report that they are using all-arthroscopic surgeries for all patients including athletes. There are two other things to consider when making this decision. The first is return-to-sports and the level of activity you may achieve. It is possible to return to the game at your pre-injury level. But some patients who have the arthroscopic repair do so at a level below their former playing ability. And secondly, it is possible to retear the repair. Retear rates compare equally between open and arthroscopic techniques. In many reported cases, the patients with retears did not follow the rehab protocol and did more than was advised.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Joint replacements can be a wonderful life-changing surgery. By removing the painful joints and replacing them with mechanical ones, people can regain proper movement with little pain. However, joint replacements are not for everyone. The treating doctor has to assess if the injury or deterioration in your shoulder is something that would be fixed by a replacement – not all shoulder problems are. The doctors also have to look at risk when assessing if a patient is medically well enough to undergo surgery and if providing surgery may or may not cause complications. Finally, some doctors want patients to wait as long as they can before performing a replacement because the new joints have a certain life span and the doctors would prefer to avoid having to do a second surgery down the line, if at all possible.

If you are not happy with your care, perhaps you should seek a second opinion and you may ask the doctor as many questions as you feel are necessary.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

While regular shoulder replacements can be very successful for the right patients, if the patients have torn rotator cuffs, this is not the ideal solution. The movement of the shoulder places a lot of strain on the rotator cuff. The regular shoulder replacements include replacing the ball at the top of the humerus (the upper arm bone) with a metal ball. The socket in the scapula (shoulder blade) is replaced with a plastic socket. However, if the patient has a torn rotator cuff, this replacement can come loose. In the reverse replacement, the ball is at the top, where the scapula is, and the socket is part of the humerus. With this arrangement, the upper arm muscle, the deltoid takes on the responsibility of the movement rather than the rotator cuff.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Shoulder replacement is the removal of the shoulder socket and head of the humerus (upper arm bone). These parts are replaced with an artificial implant.

On the shoulder socket side, a cup-shaped metal or ceramic implant is pressed or cemented into the bone. On the humeral side, an implant shaped like the head of a humerus with a long stem is inserted down into the shaft of the humerus. New bone from the humerus grows into and around the implants.

With joint resurfacing, the surgeon removes any bone spurs and smooths the joint surface. Then the joint surface is covered with tissue from some other part of the body. This could be a piece of tendon, flap of muscle, or rim of meniscus. The tissue usually comes from a donor bank.

Biologic resurfacing is also known as interpositional arthroplasty. It has been around in one form or another since the mid-1800s. It is one alternative to a total joint replacement for young, active adults. Less bone is removed. This makes it possible to convert to a total shoulder replacement later, if needed.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

There are many possible reasons why a bone fracture occurs intraoperatively. Sometimes it’s completely unavoidable. There are some known risk factors such as decreased bone mass (osteopenia or osteoporosis). Shoulder instability from a previous rotator cuff tear can make a difference.

Fractures of this type occur most often during a total shoulder replacement (versus a hemiarthroplasty where only one side of the shoulder joint is removed and replaced). Sometimes the surgeon has trouble getting to the shoulder socket. The angle and force needed may be too much for the brittle bones.

Older women seem to be at increased risk for humeral (upper arm) fractures. They are especially at risk if they also have rheumatoid arthritis or other health issues such as diabetes contributing to delayed or poor healing.

Surgeons must be aware of potential risk factors for fracture. Surgical approach and techniques must be chosen carefully with these risks in mind. Patient position during the operation is important. The elbow should never be used as a lever to get increased shoulder motion when under anesthesia.

Soft tissue release around the shoulder may be needed before moving the arm through its full range of motion. Special care must be taken when reaming out the humeral bone to place the stem of the implant inside. Hand reaming instead of power reaming is advised. The bone should be compressed, rather than removed, in patients who have low bone density.

These are just a few of the many considerations surgeons must include in the surgical process. When many risk factors present at the same time, then the risk of fracture goes up. Even being aware of all the risks doesn’t guarantee complications won’t occur. The surgeon can’t always predict who might develop intraoperative fractures.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

One of the main advantages to humeral resurfacing arthroplasty is the fact that bone is saved and a total shoulder replacement (TSR) is still possible later, if needed.

Shoulder resurfacing smooths the diseased bone and covers it with a metal cap. The head of the humerus (upper arm bone), surface of the acetabulum (shoulder socket), or both may be involved with a resurfacing procedure.

But if this procedure fails for any reason, then the patient can have a revision surgery to remove the bone and replace it with a TSR. Infection leading to loosening of the implant is the most common reason to remove and replace the joint resurfacing.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

There are several reasons why you may be experiencing a change in strength and function after a total shoulder replacement (TSR). The first is simply pain relief. Range of motion and strength are both decreased by pain. Before the joint replacement, it just hurts too much to move the arm or stress the joint. This makes it look like you are weaker than you really are.

During the operation, adhesions around the shoulder complex are released by the surgeon. Breaking loose these tiny points of scarring and fibrous tissue can actually free up the muscles to move more smoothly through greater motion with increased strength.

Sometimes during the procedure, tendons in the shoulder are cut and reattached in a slightly different location. The new position is designed to improve the balance and function of the joint. What you might notice from this is an increase in strength.

And finally, it’s possible that your rehab program is paying off! If you’ve been diligent to follow your exercise program you should see a gradual improvement in motion, strength, and function.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Joint replacements are wonderful but they aren’t 100 per cent perfect yet. In the case of a serious fracture with bone loss, it may be impossible to restore the normal length of the humerus (upper arm bone).

A change in the length of the bone alters the way the muscles pull to move the arm. Sometimes during the operation, muscle tension is changed: the muscle tensioning can be too much or not enough.

These kind of problems are more likely with a humeral fracture or tumor. It may be referred to as an inferior instability. The best way to find out what to do is go back to your orthopedic surgeon. An X-ray and examination are needed to find out what’s causing the problem. You may be a good candidate for a rehab program but further surgery may also be the answer.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.