Healthy Connections
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August 2010
Patients praise shoulder replacement outcomes
Ammar Anbari, MD, says recent advances have made shoulder replacement surgery safer and more predictable.
Bruce Bouley, 57, had shoulder resurfacing in June and is already so pleased with his results that he plans to get his other shoulder done in August.
“For about 10-15 years I have had progres- sive osteoarthritis,” he said. “An MRI found I had calcium buildup around the head bone.”
In shoulder resurfacing, after removing the bone spurs around the shoulder, the ball portion of the joint is reshaped into a spherical shape and a metal cap is put on.
This is one of the options offered for patients by Ammar Anbari, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the Backus Medical Staff with fellowship training in arthroscopy, sports medicine and shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction.
Although modern shoulder replacement surgery has been common for more than 30 years, Dr. Anbari said recent advances in tech- nology and technique have made the procedure safer and more predictable.
“For young active patients with shoulder arthritis, shoulder resurfacing can be a great option,” Dr. Anbari said. “This surgery is performed through a smaller less invasive incision, results in far less pain than other replacement options, and allows faster recovery with fewer restrictions.”
Mr. Bouley, a Franklin resident, has been undergoing physical therapy and is pleased with the results. He was back to work two weeks after the surgery.
“This has been an outstanding experience and I definitely would recommend it to others,” Mr. Bouley said.
Geraldine Turner, 74, of Griswold, also has recommended Dr. Anbari to her friends after her shoulder replacement surgery four years ago. Because of a previous injury, she devel- oped shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear. Mrs. Turner was living with excruciating pain for years. She had previous surgery for the bone spur, but the pain continued.
“I had been to several different orthopedics and then I was referred to Dr. Anbari by Dr. Harjinder Chowdhary (a rheumatologist on the Backus Medical staff).
“My husband had read an article about the reverse shoulder replacement offered by a center in California, and Dr. Anbari was the only one in the area who offered it,” she said.
At the time she had limited use of her arm and had been told she would never be able to raise it above her waist. Dr. Anbari assured her he could help her.
“I haven’t had pain since my shoulder healed and now I have normal range of motion and I can do my gardening and housework,” she said. “I cannot thank Dr. Anbari enough, he is kind and compassionate and very considerate.”
Dr. Anbari, a member of the Norwich Orthopedic Group, said a reverse shoulder replacement is an option for patients with degenerative arthritis and a dysfunctional rotator cuff.