FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Severe shoulder pain can affect how we live our day-to-day lives, especially for older adults.
“It’s limiting their daily functions,” said Dr. Kimberly Grannis, an orthopedic surgeon at St. Agnes Medical Center. “It’s limiting their ability to work, limiting their ability to do things they enjoy like play golf.”
Using technology from medical company Stryker, the Shoulder ID helps surgeons visualize and plan for a minimally invasive shoulder replacement surgery. Dr. Grannis has utilized this technology firsthand.
“It takes their specific anatomy and we get a 3D CT scan,” said Dr. Grannis. “We’re able to make an implant that is custom and specific for them and their anatomy.”
Visual maps showing where the implants need to be placed are also set up in the operating room to guide doctors during the surgery. Dr. Grannis says the procedure not only eases the chronic aches but also helps patients recover quickly.
“They are in a shoulder mobilizer or a sling for the first six weeks following the surgery,” said Dr. Grannis. “Then they come for the first post-op appointment two weeks after the initial surgery.”
She adds that at six weeks, patients will start physical therapy and by three months, patients should be able to lift up their arms.
Doctor Grannis believes this medical tech is a game-changer.
“With this technology, there’s no bone taken away. I preserve all of their native anatomy,” said Dr. Grannis. “I don’t have to remove any of the bones to fix their problem. A lot of the time, the shape of the bone has changed. So with this technology, I’m able to move the bone back into the position it needs to be in.”
Dr. Grannis having this technology will help improve the quality of life for people in Central California. Doctors are excited to have this higher level of care for their patients, so that they don’t have to travel far for treatment.
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