Chronic shoulder pain and loss of motion can throw you off your game and interrupt your life. However, new CT-guided technology is making shoulder replacements easier and more accurate for surgeons at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. “The shoulder is a unique joint due to the mismatch of a large ball to a small socket. This creates a delicate balance between having the most range of motion of any joint in your body while also maintaining stability,” said Ian Byram, M.D., a shoulder specialist at the Institute. “With this new CT-guided shoulder replacement system, we are able to plan and perform shoulder reconstructions with greater precision than before, which we believe will lead to better patient outcomes.”

THE TECHNOLOGY

 The ExactechGPS^® system is currently the only one of its kind for shoulder replacement, and Byram says the Institute is on the forefront of using this technology. With this new system, a three-dimensional CT scan is taken of a patient’s shoulder and downloaded to computer software, where surgeons can develop a plan before surgery. “This is a really exciting technology,” Byram said. “With this system, we can go in the operating room with live trackers on our instruments that allow us to see exactly where we are on that CT scan, so we can more reliably perform a surgical plan that meets the needs of patients.”

BENEFITS TO PATIENTS

Byram says CT-guided procedures are helping personalize surgical care for each patient’s anatomy. In complex shoulder replacement cases, using this system allows surgeons to place implants more accurately. “Using this technology lets us better understand each patient’s unique anatomy so we can align implants specifically to their body,” Byram said. “Because this system helps us plan the surgery in advance, there’s more precision and working with guides while in the operating room. With regard to implant placement, a few millimeters can make a large difference.”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Bone and Joint Institute and Williamson Medical Center will be hosting community events to showcase the new CT-guided navigation system that Byram, Dr. Christopher Stark, Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Todd Wurth will be using during these procedures. “We’re hoping to educate the community about this procedure and let them know this state-of-the-art technology is available at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee,” Byram said. “We’re one of only two hospitals in the state that are using this shoulder replacement technology, making us a regional and national leader in using this technology and training other physicians.” The first event to showcase this technology to the public will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Williamson Medical Center. Those interested in attending should call (615) 435-6780 to RSVP.

ABOUT IAN BYRAM, M.D.

Ian Byram, M.D., is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow and sports medicine at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. He is one of only a few surgeons in Tennessee to be admitted into the distinguished American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), and one of only two members of the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons (ACESS) in the state. He educates and trains surgeons from around in the country in CT-guided shoulder replacement surgery. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (615) 791-2630.