Dr. Julianne Munoz is an orthopedic surgeon at UHealth Sports Medicine Institute. For more information about total shoulder replacement surgery, click here or visit the UHealth blog.
MEET REYNALDO SEGUI:
A 30-year career in law enforcement began to take a toll on Reynaldo Segui’s left shoulder.
“I couldn’t move it up to a certain position, and then it would hurt. It would just be a constant hurt,” says Reynaldo.
After years of living with the pain, Reynaldo went to see Julianne Munoz, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at UHealth Sports Medicine Institute. Due to severe arthritis, she recommended total shoulder replacement.
“A total shoulder replacement is a surgery that’s used for arthritis of the shoulder joint,” Dr. Munoz says. “That’s a ball and socket joint. So, when we replace it, we usually are cutting off the humeral head, which is the ball component. And we replace that with a metal ball.”
Then, Dr. Munoz replaces the arthritic socket with a plastic component.
“Since that gives you a nice, new, painless and better moving surface than an arthritic joint,” she adds.
“So, doctor who’s a good candidate for that?” anchor Pam Giganti asks.
“Anyone that’s in the 60s, 70s range is really a prime target because they’re going to get really great relief,” says Dr. Munoz.
She says there are signs you may want to consider total shoulder replacement.
“Not being able to lift up your grandchildren or not being able to get your hand to your head,” Dr. Munoz explains.
Two months after surgery and weekly physical therapy, Reynaldo was gardening and working on the house. He credits the entire UHealth team for getting him out of pain and back to doing what he loves.
“They’re fantastic. They’re right on top. They’re on the ball,” Reynaldo says.
FOCUSING ON YOU
Focusing on You: Innovations in Modern Medicine is a series of healthcare-related stories airing regularly on WPLG Local 10. For more stories like this one, visit YouTube channels for UHealth, the University of Miami Health System.
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