Unique Surgery Reverses Shoulder Pain

Darrell Scherer of Gibbon, Minn., was in so much pain that turning the steering wheel caused him to wince. Once told that his injury was inoperable, Scherer sought relief by undergoing a unique surgical procedure that is helping many older patients — Reverse Shoulder Surgery.

Scherer, 85, is enjoying this winter in Mesa, Ariz., seven months after having undergone reverse shoulder surgery in Woodbury. Scherer says the surgery helped relieve his pain and restore the flexibility in his right shoulder, which for numerous years continuously bothered him and hampered his lifestyle.

A retired farmer, Scherer developed osteoarthritis in his right shoulder. Eventually his rotator cuff became completely torn, causing excruciating pain and limiting him from performing basic chores and activities.

The first doctor he visited about the injury told him there was nothing he could do about it. When Scherer visited Dr. Peter Daly of Summit Orthopedics, Dr. Daly suggested reverse shoulder surgery.

Reverse shoulder replacement surgery is an alternative to traditional shoulder replacement surgery. Designed for older patients who have severe rotator cuff damage from osteoarthritis, this new procedure entails reversing the ball and socket device that is used for traditional shoulder replacement surgery. Reverse shoulder replacement helps reduce pain and restore range of motion in a person’s joint.

The unique implant design completely changes the mechanics of the shoulder. And it completely changed Scherer’s lifestyle.

He says: “I couldn’t be happier with the procedure, and I can’t praise Dr. Daly enough. I couldn’t raise my arm over six inches. Now I can raise it over my head. And before it was terrible to try to pick up my grandchildren. Now I can pick them up, no problem.”

For more information on reverse shoulder replacement surgery or Dr. Peter Daly, call Summit Orthopedics at (651) 842-5200.