Developed by Dr. Steven Chudik and a team of talented orthopaedic surgeons, this minimally invasive, rotator cuff sparing shoulder replacement technique preserves vital shoulder muscles and avoids joint dislocation, potentially shortening recovery from six months to as little as six to 12 weeks.
What Is This Procedure?
The Rotator Cuff Tissue Sparing Minimally Invasive Shoulder Replacement is designed to preserve vital shoulder muscles and avoid joint dislocation.
Unlike traditional surgery that cuts the vital subscapularis muscle, this technique keeps the rotator cuff intact, maintaining strength and preventing lasting weakness or muscle failure.
By not dislocating the shoulder, surgical trauma is minimized, lowering risks of nerve injury, fractures, and other complications.
Who Is a Candidate?
This procedure may not be the right fit for everyone due to unique anatomy or medical factors. Traditional shoulder replacement surgery may still be recommended for the best outcome.
How the Procedure Is Performed
This minimally invasive, rotator cuff sparing shoulder replacement technique preserves vital shoulder muscles and avoids joint dislocation.
Navigation technology is being developed to make this procedure even more precise and widely available.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Potential benefits of the procedure include:
- Faster Recovery: Most patients can move their arm immediately after surgery, avoiding up to six weeks in a sling and reducing typical recovery from six months to as little as six to 12 weeks.
- Muscle Preservation: Unlike traditional surgery that cuts the vital subscapularis muscle, this technique keeps the rotator cuff intact, maintaining strength and preventing lasting weakness or muscle failure.
- Better Outcomes: Early active motion and physical therapy improve shoulder strength, motion, and function, helping the new shoulder feel more natural.
Risks and Outcomes
Potential benefits described for this procedure include:
- Reduced Risk: By not dislocating the shoulder, surgical trauma is minimized, lowering risks of nerve injury, fractures, and other complications.
- Fewer Future Surgeries: Preserving the rotator cuff reduces chances of complications that might require additional or revision surgeries.
- Better Outcomes: Early active motion and physical therapy improve shoulder strength, motion, and function, helping the new shoulder feel more natural.
This procedure may not be the right fit for everyone because of unique anatomy or medical factors, and traditional shoulder replacement surgery may still be recommended for the best outcome.
Why Dr. Chudik for This Procedure
Dr. Steven Chudik and a team of talented orthopaedic surgeons developed this minimally invasive, rotator cuff sparing shoulder replacement technique. It is designed to preserve vital shoulder muscles and avoid joint dislocation.f his early innovations in arthroscopic and minimally invasive shoulder surgery, and his ongoing development work has produced multiple US patents covering the surgical method, humeral implant, glenoid implant, and surgical guides used in the procedure.