Planning your Ream and Run Shoulder Replacement

The Ream and Run shoulder replacement is a new type of shoulder replacement that has advantages for patients who wish to remain active. Dr. Carofino is one of a few shoulder surgeons in the country with extensive experience with this operation, and is commonly contacted by patients interested in traveling to Virginia for this procedure.

This is a description of how you can arrange to visit Virginia Beach for a Ream and Run Shoulder Replacement

Step 1. Determine if you are a candidate for this surgery:

Dr. Carofino will review your records, x-rays, MRI, etc. to determine if you may be a candidate for this operation. If you would like to start this process you may send an email to carofinob@atlanticortho.com. After the records have been reviewed he will discuss his finding with you by phone.

At that point if you are interested in visiting Virginia Beach to have surgery further arrangement will be made.

Step 2: Planning Your Trip

You should plan to arrive in Virginia Beach on the Saturday or Sunday prior to your surgery.

Monday: Office consultation with Dr. Carofino to review x-rays and perform physical examination. The surgical procedure and recovery process will be reviewed. All additional questions will be answered at this point. Pre-operative lab work is completed.

Tuesday:  Surgery is performed at the Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. The surgical procedure takes approximately 1.5 hours. Post operatively patients are admitted to the hospital for pain control and initiation of physical therapy. Most patients will be discharged from the hospital in one to two days.

Post Hospital Course: (Wednesday until departure)

After discharge from the hospital you will stay in a nearby hotel until your departure. During this time physical therapy will be performed at our office on a daily basis to ensure you are stretching the shoulder properly. We recommend that you plan to stay in Virginia Beach until Saturday at the least. This will allow plenty of time to ensure that you are comfortable after surgery, and progressing with physical therapy.

Step 3: Planning your follow up care

You will need to continue with your physical therapy at home. We will coordinate this with a therapist of your choosing and provide them detailed instructions. It is encouraged that you send us pictures of you doing your stretching exercises so that we may monitor your progress.

You will need to have stitches removed two weeks after your surgery. A local doctor or physical therapist can perform this.

Ideally, you will return to Virginia Beach at three months after your surgery so that we can check your progress. However, if you are doing well we can monitor your recovery by sending a video, and phone discussion.

Miscellaneous

Travel

If you are flying the Norfolk Airport is 30 minutes from the office and hospital.

Insurance Coverage

Shoulder replacements are common procedures and typically covered under insurance. If you are from outside of Virginia then Dr. Carofino is most likely considered an “out of network” physician by your insurance. Therefore, you will need pre-authorization from your insurer prior to treatment. Our billing department can assist you with this process.