Risk of loss of motor function after non-skeletal complications
Three months after surgery to treat a complex upper head fracture on his right arm, Mr. Matthew Thomas Lynch (42 years old, British nationality) still cannot return to normal life.
Prolonged pain in the right shoulder area causes patients to have difficulty in daily activities. The right arm is almost impossible to lift. Simple movements such as putting on clothes, picking objects, or reaching over the head are limited.
When visiting Vinmec Hai Phong for examination, the results of in-depth assessment showed that the cause was not slow recovery after the injury but in non-bone healing after surgery, accompanied by bone resorption and secondary shoulder osteoarthritis. This condition caused the anatomical structure of the shoulder joint area to be significantly destroyed, pushing the patient into the risk of prolonged mobility loss if not intervened with in-depth solutions.
According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Manh, Director of Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital, this is one of the severe complications that can occur after complex cases of head fractures on the upper arm bone.
In some cases, non-complete bone after surgery can lead to bone resorption, osteoarthritis and seriously impair motor function. When the joint structure has been severely damaged, conventional bone preservation or combination methods no longer bring the desired effect," said Dr. Manh.
Double challenge behind an inverted shoulder joint replacement
If inverted shoulder joint replacement is often applied to cases of irreversible rotating joint tears, Mr. Matthew's case poses a greater challenge. Doctors must simultaneously address many complex lesions, including osteomalacia, bone deficiency, and shoulder arthrosis.
In fact, the patient after many months of not healing, the head area above the arm bone has been bone consumed and significantly deformed. Many important anatomical markers serving the orientation in surgery are no longer intact, making the reconstruction of the shoulder joint particularly difficult. In addition, bone deficiency and pan deformity due to progressive degeneration also increase the risk of joint loosening or reduced motor function if the joint placement does not achieve optimal accuracy.
According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Manh, Director of Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital, the biggest challenge is not simply replacing the joint but simultaneously treating many complex lesions existing after the injury. In the case of the British patient, pre-operative planning plays a particularly important role.
To develop an optimal treatment plan, the Vinmec Hai Phong team has used in-depth 3D surgery planning software to recreate the entire shoulder joint structure in a three-dimensional space. From this data, doctors calculate in detail the position of the joint placement, select the appropriate artificial joint configuration and use a personalized guidance assist system (PSI - Patient Specific Instrument) specifically designed for patients to optimize accuracy during surgery.
On May 21, the surgery was performed under the direct direction of Dr. Nguyen Huu Manh and the Vinmec Hai Phong Orthopedic Trauma team.
During the surgery, doctors had to remove the entire old screw system, treat scar tissue and residual lesions, and at the same time regenerate the bone base to place the inverted artificial shoulder joint system. The surgery was performed with high accuracy to ensure the stability of the joint, restore the movement axis and optimize shoulder function later.
After nearly 4 hours of surgery, the inverted shoulder joint system was successfully placed, reaching optimal stability. After surgery, the patient was closely monitored and an early rehabilitation program began under the guidance of a team of doctors and specialized technicians. Only 24 hours after surgery, the pain condition improved significantly, and the patient could perform light exercises according to the recovery regimen.
Before being discharged from the hospital, Mr. Matthew expressed his satisfaction with the treatment results: "I am really impressed with the team of doctors and medical staff at Vinmec Hai Phong. Everyone has contributed to helping me recover. The professional quality, dedication in care and treatment experience here can completely be compared to any hospital in the world. I will continue to re-examine and practice rehabilitation according to the instructions to achieve the best results.
The success of the surgery for the British patient has affirmed the ability to master specialized joint replacement techniques, apply 3D surgery planning technology and personalized treatment of the Vinmec Hai Phong Orthopedic Trauma team, opening up more treatment opportunities for difficult cases right in the locality, helping patients access advanced techniques without having to transfer to large centers or abroad.
