Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs – Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Living in Florida provides abundant fair weather for all residents throughout the entire year. By way of good weather, the young and old alike are much more active. In our sunshine state, kids are playing sports and older individuals are golfing, playing tennis, pickleball, kayaking, swimming and the list goes on and on; but with all of that healthy activity, we’re more prone to injury and wear and tear.
Whether you have had trauma to your shoulder from pitching a baseball, an accident, or perhaps your pain is due to advanced arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or soft tissue and ligaments disorders, shoulder pain can be debilitating.
If you have tried all of the pain medications, alternative methods, physical therapy and are still experiencing difficulty with range-of-motion or impingements and discomfort, it may be time to speak to your orthopedic surgeon about shoulder replacement surgery, or otherwise known as shoulder arthroplasty.
Typical Shoulder Replacement Surgery
During the standard shoulder replacement procedure, the surgeon will cut off part of the top of your humerus bone, which is located in the joint of the shoulder. The Surgery consists of reshaping the shoulder joint and placing a metal stem (a few inches long) into the shaft of the humerus bone. A metal or plastic plate is then attached to the glenoid socket. These two connected devices will then take the place of the “ball and socket” in the upper shoulder area. Over time, the new joint replacement will allow the shoulder to move more freely and to be free from the excruciating pain that the individual was accustomed to on a daily basis. This surgery is ideal for patients with compressed rotator cuff function.
Enhanced Shoulder Replacement Surgery
At the Joint Replacement Institute, they have implemented a new procedure, which is an innovative shoulder replacement procedure that is recommended for certain patients that have more of an active lifestyle. This new shoulder system is stemless and allows for more natural movement.
The surgical method that your surgeon suggests will be based upon your condition and the overall health of the bones and joint in the shoulder. The determination will support your best-case scenario and preeminent outcome.
Shoulder Arthroplasty Recovery
After your surgery, your initial recovery time usually takes about six weeks, but full recovery can take a few months up to a year. Many patients report feeling no pain, and also having an increased range-of-motion very soon after surgery. Your surgeon will also provide you with an exercise and stretching program, along with physical therapy for an allotted period of time.
About Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon:
After completing an orthopaedic surgery residency and then fellowship in joint replacement at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dr. Biggs entered into private practice in Massillon, Ohio. His joint replacement practice quickly grew to well over 400 joint replacements per year. The practice developed into a tertiary referral center for other orthopaedic surgeons who utilized Dr. Biggs’ expertise in revision joint reconstruction surgery. He was instrumental in the development of two, hospital-based, joint replacement centers as well as providing daily education for orthopaedic surgery residents.
During his time in Ohio, Dr. Biggs served as a national instructor for orthopaedic surgeons, teaching and developing their surgical skills utilizing minimally invasive joint replacement. His practice also served as a site for multicenter investigational studies for developing new implants and procedures.
He continues to serve as a national instructor for knee and hip replacement including hip resurfacing surgery. He serves as an advisor for developing new technologies in joint replacements as well as collecting information on patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes.
To find out more about knee replacement surgery, or your other orthopedic needs, please call The Joint Replacement Institute at (239) 261-2663
1250 Pine Ridge,
Suite #203,
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 261-2663
