Page 76 - Best Chapter Spring 2017

months, and many patients report feeling good after
only three to six weeks.
“We are very happy with the process and it has gone
' extremely well with our patients so far,” Dr. Greiwe
f '1 said. ‘And all of the patients that have had the
“ procedure are doing very well.”

- H ‘' Since introducing the procedure in the fall of 2016,
Dr. Greiwe has performed 12 rotator cuff sparing
surgeries—the first 12 of their kind in medical

\._\ history. The patients have all reported exceptional
\-- , - results, including testimonies of high levels of
. motion only eight days after surgery and feeling well
‘ enough to return to physically demanding jobs after
s=. _ six weeks.
as V
f In addition to having less post-surgical pain, patients
can experience several additional benefits. Because
_ '* ' fewer muscles and tendons are cut during the
is I surgery, pain goes down. And as pain goes down, the
-\ \ \ amount of time patients need. to. stay on prescription
I \ \ pain medication is reduced. Similarly, patients will
‘ A require shorter stretches of physical therapy and
K ~ rehabilitation, which helps patients get back to their
\ ‘~ _ _J____ W pre-surgery routines faster.
. 1 _
i i ' “F The new procedure can be performed with surgical
~ ». tools and equipment found in a standard operating
‘ room. Although the standard shoulder surgery is not
generally considered an overly complex procedure,

invented the rotator cuff sparing method, which uses any type of surgery can be stressful. Dr. Greiwe is
the back of a patient’s shoulder as the primary entry developing instruments and surgical implants to
point. By starting from the back of the patient’s further refine the precision of the operation and
shoulder, the rotator cuff can be avoided and can minimize Complications.

remain fully intact.

“The goal is to enable surgeons everywhere to do

“The back of the shoulder simply provides more this procedure,” Dr. Greiwe said. ‘‘It’s better for the
access points to the joint without impacting the patient and it’s better for the surgeon.”

rotator cuff.”

Currently, Dr. Greiwe is in the process of reporting

To individuals in need of shoulder replacements, this his findings to the Journal of the American Academy
is welcome news. Recovery from traditional shoulder of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He and his team are also
replacement surgery is typically four to six months. exploring companies to help develop the surgical
With Dr. Greiwe’s rotator cuff sparing method, tools and equipment for the new procedure.
recovery time is estimated to be around three

76 BEST CI IAPTER