Shoulder Replacement and Direct Primary Care (DPC): Restored Mobility, Personalized Care
If arthritis or rotator cuff tears make it hard for you to move your shoulder, replacement surgery can help you get back to moving, and DPC can help you plan your recovery in a way that works for you.
Understanding Shoulder Replacement: How to Get Back to Moving Without Pain
Shoulder replacement uses prosthetics to replace damaged joints. There are different kinds, such as:
- Total shoulder: Takes the place of the ball and socket.
- Reverse shoulder: For patients with a weak rotator cuff.
- Hemiarthroplasty: Only the head of the humerus is replaced.
Important information:
- Safety: 90–95% success rate; risk of infection is less than 1%.
- Costs: DPC memberships (150–400 USD/month) include pre-op consultations and follow-ups, which is not the case with traditional fees (15,000–30,000 USD/surgery).
Risks of waiting:
- Muscle atrophy and long-term pain.
How DPC Improves the Results of Shoulder Replacement
Direct Primary Care (DPC) improves joint care by putting the patient first and coordinating care in advance.
Comprehensive Before Surgery Preparation
- Quick diagnostics: Make an appointment for an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan within 72 hours.
- Prehab programs: Make the deltoids and scapular stabilizers stronger to help you get better faster.
- Managing medications: Change blood thinners or DMARDs before surgery.
Clear prices and all-around help
- Care that covers everything: Membership includes planning for physical therapy, coordinating with surgeons, and working with hospital staff.
- Saving money: Self-pay DPC rates can save you 25% to 50% on facility fees.
- Focus on mental health: Treat depression that comes with chronic pain.
Personalized Recovery and Long-Term Functioning
- Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Take care of pain or incision problems right away after surgery.
- Virtual PT: Use telehealth to guide passive and active exercises during the early stages of recovery.
- Preventive care: Suggest calcium and vitamin D to keep the bonds between bones and prostheses strong.
Advantages of DPC for Patients Undergoing Shoulder Replacement
- No waiting: 90% of DPC patients schedule surgery within two weeks, while it used to take eight weeks or more.
- Continuity: One team takes care of pain meds, physical therapy, and lab work over time.
- No extra costs: Clear pricing (for example, 18,000 USD for everything, including reverse replacement).
Success Stories from Real Life
- Case 1: Sarah, 68, has very bad osteoarthritis. Sarah's DPC team did a total shoulder replacement, and she was able to move her arm 160° away from her body in six months.
- Case 2: Tom, 55, has a huge tear in his rotator cuff. Tom's DPC provider chose reverse replacement, which brought back his ability to reach things above his head.
Questions that are frequently asked: Shoulder Replacement in DPC
- Q: When can I drive again?
- A: 6–8 weeks after the surgery; DPC arranges rides for you while you recover.
- Q: Will I have to live with these limits for the rest of my life?
- A: Don't lift anything heavy (more than 10 pounds); DPC shows how to safely move on to more difficult activities.
- Q: Is it possible for the prosthesis to come loose?
- A: There is less than a 5% chance of this happening in 10 years. DPC checks it every year with X-rays.
- Q: What if I need surgery again?
- A: For complicated cases, DPC works with revision specialists.
Why DPC is the best at joint care
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of preparing for surgery with a team. DPC works by:
- Lowering the risk of complications. For example, prehab lowers the rate of dislocations by 25%.
- Increasing compliance: 85% of DPC patients finish PT, compared to 60% of patients in the U.S.
- Cutting costs: With bundled pricing, members save between 5,000 USD and 15,000 USD.
Final Thoughts
When you get a shoulder replacement in DPC, you're not just getting a new joint; you're also working with a team that cares about your active life. With DPC, you can skip the wait for insurance, get access to the best surgeons, and get a recovery plan that works for you. From getting ready for surgery to moving without pain, get care that is as flexible as your shoulder.
