After years of renovating houses and working on a farm, Tommie’s shoulder had worn out, causing her to struggle to do household chores or to write on the board in her classroom. She received injections to help the pain, but they lasted only a short time, leading her to seek a long-term solution.

Tommie went to see Dr. Ian Wilkofsky of Orthopedic Associates in Flower Mound, Texas, who recommended she receive the SIMPLICITI Shoulder System. He explained it is a less painful option than traditional shoulder replacements for those with severe arthritis or shoulder pain, and Tommie decided to undergo the procedure.

Dr. Wilkofsky highlighted how advancements in shoulder replacement surgery involve less pain and a quicker recovery. He explained that traditional shoulder surgery used a stem that went halfway down the arm, unlike SIMPLICITI, which only sits at the top of the humerus or arm. Dr. Wilkofsky said patients can resume certain activities like playing golf and lifting weights by three months after the surgery.

Only three days after Tommie underwent the canal-sparing shoulder arthroplasty procedure, she no longer needed pain medication. After a 12-week recovery period, she no longer had any limitations, and now only experiences muscle soreness from physical therapy. She is glad the new surgery is available.

The opinions of Tommie and Dr. Ian Wilkofsky are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.