A 60 year old physically active man presented with pain and stiffness in his right shoulder.
His preoperative x-rays show severe osteoarthritis with posterior humeral head decentering on a biconcave glenoid
He desired a ream and run procedure to avoid the limitations and risks of the prosthetic glenoid component used in total shoulder arthroplasty.
Seven years after his ream and run he reported, “I have long since resumed a normal life, essentially forgetting I ever had a problem. The years leading up to surgery, when I could no longer ride a bike, kayak, rock climb, lift weights or even play the piano because I couldn’t raise my right arm high enough, seem now like just a bad dream. Before discovering the R&R option, I had consulted two other orthopedic surgeons and had not been encouraged by what they had to say. Consequently, I let my shoulder problem (osteoarthritis) progress until it was no longer tolerable. At the end, I was in constant pain, occasionally severe, and a right arm that was virtually useless.
After surgery with several months of regular stretching exercises, dedicated work, not without pain, I began to realize the amazing outcome from the R&R procedure. A year after surgery, I returned to the gym for the first time in twenty-five years. It was a new lease on life. Now, I exercise pretty vigorously three to five times a week, working all muscle groups, with a goal of restoring strength, flexibility and symmetry. Climbing, biking and kayaking are no problem. I can’t seem to perform as well in the gym as I did forty years ago, but I’ve been told the problem may be related to being 68 years old, rather than 28.”
His shoulder function at 7 years after surgery is shown in the videos below
At the age of 72, he came by the office for an 11 year followup at which time his motion and function remained excellent.
At that time, his followup x-rays show a secure impaction grafted stem, a centered humeral head, and a regenerated radiographic space between his human head and the glenoid.
To see a YouTube video on how the ream and run is done, click on this link.
===
