Groundbreaking personalized shoulder surgery performed locally

With the latest evolution of surgical technology, Dr. George Byram, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Highland Clinic, has been seeing incredible post-surgical results from the latest in personalized surgical mapping. Byram says, “The reduction in surgical complication rates with total shoulder replacement procedures using the ExactechGPS Navigation technology has been significant.”

This new technique, guided by advanced GPS navigation, uses each patient’s unique imaging to create a customizable 3D image that can be used to formulate a personalized surgical plan. After reviewing the patient’s unique bone composition through the navigation technology, the surgeon can precisely position the shoulder implants ideal for his patient’s specific anatomy. This groundbreaking, preoperative surgical mapping allows Byram to avoid possible complications that can result from seeing the patient’s unique bone structure for the first time in the operating room.

The ExactechGPS Navigation is not only for pre-operative planning, however. During the operation, progress is tracked every step of the way in real time with the use of proprietary ExactechGPS Navigational Sensors. Ultimately, this technique has led to increased surgical precision, quicker surgery times and a significantly reduced rate of complications. This translates into increased bone preservation, less time under anesthesia and quicker overall recovery times for patients.

The innovative new Equinoxe Shoulder Implant is used in tandem with the ExactechGPS Navigation technique. “Equinoxe has created an implant that is changing the game for shoulder arthroplasty. The intelligent design of the implant allows the patient’s own bone to grow within for increased stability, natural feeling movement and improved patient satisfaction,” Byram said.

Patients benefitting from this cuttingedge procedure include those with large or atrophied rotator cuff injuries and those with primarily degenerative/arthritic shoulder joints.

It is estimated that one in every three people over 60 has some type of arthritis in their shoulder joints. This can be caused by sustaining a previous shoulder injury, having a history of shoulder dislocations and/or infections, participating in sports, or having certain high-intensity occupations. If you are experiencing a limited range of motion and stiffness in your shoulder or if your pain is aggravated by activity, scheduling a consultation for your shoulder may be your next step.