Ream and Run Shoulder Surgery
Reported August 3, 2005

SEATTLE (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- It's a new surgery to treat arthritis in the shoulder. Instead of holding you back like a standard shoulder replacement, it's designed to let you be as active as you want.

Brian Hogan took up kayaking 10 years ago only to give it up when arthritis in both shoulders made it too painful. "It wouldn't have been worth it," he says. "I wouldn't have been able to be out here on this beautiful day in this beautiful weather because it would hurt too much."

But now Hogan's a regular with an oar. With standard shoulder replacement surgery, this wouldn't be possible. Instead, he had a new surgery called Ream and Run. Recovery takes about a year longer, but the procedure has its benefits.

"They can kayak. They can golf. They can shoot the bow and arrow. They can shoot their shotgun. They can chop wood. They can do pretty much anything they want," says orthopedic surgeon, Frederick Matsen III, M.D., of University of Washington in Seattle.

With standard shoulder replacements, doctors use a metal ball and a plastic socket. The surgery has a high success rate, but it's not designed for vigorous activity. Too much movement can wear out and loosen the artificial socket. With the Ream and Run surgery, instead of replacing the socket, doctors grind it to make a smooth surface to match the metal ball. It's less likely to wear because the body's natural healing process lets the socket adapt to movement.

Dr. Matsen says, "In a sense, the patient customizes the joint replacement by the way they use their arm."

"Here's why I'm glad I had it done because I don't have to think, 'Hmmm, is that activity going to be worth the pain it's going to cause me?' I don't go through that mental process," Hogan says. Instead, he enjoys being as active as he wants.

Doctors say, although recovery takes longer, the Ream and Run procedure is a long-term solution. Studies show those who have the procedure continue to improve over time. The latest research shows patients are getting progressively better even 15 years after surgery.