Released on: March 12, 2008, 6:27 am

Press Release Author: Knee, Hip shoulder surgery centre, Chennai, India

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Shoulder resurfacing replaces only the worn out portion of
arthritis shoulder unlike traditional replacement. This minimally invasive surgery
was launched in a Chennai hospital recently by Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam

Press Release Body: Shoulder resurfacing surgery was launched at a city hospital in
Chennai last week by Orthopaedic surgeon Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam. The first patient to
undergo this surgery was a South African lady with bilateral shoulder
osteoarthritis. He used the famous Copeland prosthesis.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Venkatachalam said that shoulder arthritis is less common
than hip & knee arthritis. It mainly affects older individuals. Although Knee and
Hip resurfacing were common procedures, shoulder resurfacing for arthritis is
relatively unknown. In India shoulder replacement is a rare operation and most
often the whole diseased portion of bone is removed and replaced with a total
shoulder replacement

Causes of shoulder arthritis are
. osteo-arthritis,
. rheumatoid arthritis
. avascular necrosis
. rotator cuff tear arthropathy
. post traumatic arthritis
. post septic arthritis
. post tubercular arthritis

In shoulder arthritis like any other arthritis, only the top surface of the upper
end of the arm bone (humerus) is affected. The socket is usually not damaged. The
traditional operation for a shoulder arthritic problem is a shoulder replacement.
However this involves sacrifice of bone. In case of severely comminuted fractures
and tumours there is no recourse but to do a shoulder replacement.
In a conventional shoulder replacement, the damaged parts of the joint comprising
the shoulder joint are completely removed and replaced with a metal and plastic
prosthesis. The metal portion is buried into the shaft of the arm bone (humerus). It
has a stem and ball shaped end. The socket is made of polyethylene with a metal back
and stem buried into the outer end of the shoulder blade.

What is shoulder resurfacing?
This is a less invasive operation than shoulder replacement. Bone is not sacrificed
at all.
The operation consists of shaping the top end of the arm bone to a hemispherical
shape by cheese grating reamers. A central hole is drilled in the centre of the head
of the humerus. The prosthesis made of Cobalt chrome, molybdenum and coated on the
inside with hydroxyapatite is impacted in over this dome of bone. Hydroxyapatite
allows natural bony in growth over time and fixation.
The operation is done through a minimally invasive approach under either general or
regional anesthesia.
The implant helps in preservation of natural bone and tissues of the patient.
It is seen as an ideal option for the younger, active patient who wants to lead a
normal life. This cement less implant utilizes a patient\'s natural t issue growth.
It can also be used in the older arthritic patient with good bone stock.

Patient particulars

Mrs. Saleha Khatum from South Africa had been suffering from arthritic shoulder pain
for the past 4- 5 years. Her shoulder had become damaged by repeated injections of
hydrocortisone in to the shoulder.
She was told that she needed shoulder replacement back home but found the cost
phenomenal. She had heard good things about surgery in India and located
Dr.Venkatachalam in Chennai.
After the correspondence she decided to come to Chennai for her surgery along with
her husband.
A resurfacing prosthesis or implant was chosen as it preserves bone. In future if
another revision operation is required, it would be a simple matter to just remove
the metal cap and either fuse the joint or convert it to a total shoulder
replacement.
The Copeland shoulder prosthesis from Biomet was used. This is the only surface
replacement with the longest follow up. This is the first time that this shoulder
resurfacing prosthesis was used in Tamil nadu and Chennai.
Speaking to the press, Mrs. Saleha Khatum said that she had consulted many surgeons
in South Africa but without any joy. The price quoted was exorbitant to the tune of
1000000 Rands (equal to Rs 5 lakhs). In Chennai the whole package cost them only 1.5
lakh Indian rupees.
She has since returned home and will return soon to Chennai to have her other
shoulder operated.

Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam
MS Orth,, DNB Orth, FRCS, MCh Orth( Liverpool)
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Knee, Hip & Shoulder surgery centre,
Chennai, India
www.shoulderindia.com

Mobile- 9282165002.
E mail akvenkat15@hotmail.com
akvenkat@gmail.com





Web Site: http://www.shoulderindia.com

Contact Details: Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam
Knee, Hip, Shoulder surgery centre,
27, 1st avenue, Besant nagar,
Chennai, India
E mail- akvenkat@gmail.com
akvenkat15@hotmail.com
Web site- www.shoulderindia.com