Ream and Run Shoulder Replacement for Weightlifters: Seeing is Believing

Weightlifters with shoulder arthritis pose a special challenge for shoulder surgeons. These individuals often have pain and stiffness that would be improved by a shoulder replacement. However, typical shoulder replacements come with severe limitations. It is advised that people who have had a standard shoulder replacement not lift more that 25 lbs. Obviously, this is a hard pill to swallow for avid weightlifters, cross fitters, and work out enthusiast. The reason for these restrictions is the plastic socket or "glenoid component" that is used in a shoulder replacement. This will quickly wear out and fail if a patient is doing heavy lifting.
Luckily, there is a new solution for these patients called the Ream and Run shoulder replacement. The ream and run uses a technique to regrow the cartilage covering the socket rather than replacing the socket with a plastic implant.
I would like to share some x-rays from a patient of mine who is an avid weightlifter. You can see that over a period of six months he was able to regrow the cartilage covering his socket and avoid a full shoulder replacement.

Pre operative axillary x-ray shows that there is no space between the ball and socket of the shoulder 

Pre operative x-ray of the shoulder showing that there is no space left between the ball and socket of the shoulder resulting in "bone on bone" arthritis

6 weeks after surgery. The metal ball of shoulder replacement sits directly on the socket.

6 months after surgery a nice clear space can be seen between the metal ball and the bone socket. This clear space is whre the cartilage has regrown.

I am fortunate to be one of the surgeons on the forefront of this procedure nationally, and was trained by Dr. Rick Matsen who originated this operation. I am consulted by patients throughout the East Coast including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Maryland and West Virgnia.

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