Should you really wait until you’re 65 to have a shoulder replacement?

For younger, active patients with severe shoulder arthritis, that traditional advice can mean living with pain for years — sometimes while becoming less active and less healthy in the process.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, orthopedic shoulder surgeons Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens discuss how newer approaches are changing that conversation.

We break down subscapularis-sparing shoulder replacement, a technique that allows surgeons to perform certain shoulder replacements without intentionally cutting and repairing the subscapularis tendon. Because that tendon does not have to heal from a surgical repair, selected patients may be able to come out of the sling and regain independence earlier.

We also discuss pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty, particularly for younger and highly active patients who want to continue lifting, working, wrestling, practicing jiu-jitsu, or participating in other demanding activities.

Along the way, we discuss implant longevity, activity restrictions, revision surgery, preserving bone for the future, patient selection, and why surgeons sometimes need to change the surgical plan based on what they find in the operating room.

Shoulder replacement is evolving. For the right patient, newer materials and muscle-sparing techniques may provide options that weren’t available a generation ago.

The Shoulder Blueprint is hosted by Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens.

Contact: info@CalebDavisMD.com

Follow Dr. Caleb Davis:
Instagram, TikTok & X: @CalebDavisMD
YouTube: Caleb Davis - MD

Follow Dr. Justin Givens:
@GivensShoulderElbow

Follow The Shoulder Blueprint on Instagram:
@ShoulderBlueprint

You can also check out The Wellness Blueprint with Dr. Caleb Davis.

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are our own and do not represent those of our employers or affiliated professional organizations.

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.