A 64 year old avid triathlete and 6 time iron man competitor presented with a painful stiff shoulder after a prior labral repair. Her radiographs showed osteoarthritis with complete loss of joint space
and a biconcave glenoid
She was concerned a conventional total shoulder replacement would limit her ability to continue with her high demand activities. She had been treating her pain with steroid injections which do help significantly but were diminishing in efficacy, Advil and oxycodone a few times per month for sleep. She was actively performing home PT and range of motion exercises. She was still very active and planed to run the Boston Marathon. She could perform six of the 12 Simple Shoulder Test functions with her right shoulder.
She elected to proceed with a ream and run procedure.
Six years after surgery she returned to the office with a good functional result and the ability to perform all 12 Simple Shoulder Test functions. Her x-rays at that time are shown below, showing a canal-sparing impaction grafted stem, no evidence of stress shielding of her humeral bone, and a humeral head centered in a single glenoid concavity.
She kindly send this video of her swimming form.
Comment: This case shows the outcome that can be achieved in a patient who is highly dedicated to the rehabilitation program after a ream and run procedure.
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