Total Shoulder Replacement (TSR) and Direct Primary Care (DPC): Restoring Motion, Personalized Care
If arthritis in your hips makes it hard for you to move, a total hip replacement can help you get back on your feet. DPC makes sure that your surgery and recovery are planned, affordable, and meet your needs.
What is TSR? Rebuilding the Function of the Shoulder
TSR puts prosthetics in place of damaged shoulder joints. There are different types, such as:
- Anatomic: Looks like a real joint and needs a healthy rotator cuff.
- Reverse: For shoulders that don't have a cuff; the ball and socket are switched.
Important facts:
- Safety: 90–95% of the time it works; less than 1% chance of infection.
- Costs: DPC memberships (150–400 USD/month) include pre-op consultations and follow-ups, which is different from traditional fees (15,000–30,000 USD/surgery).
Risks of waiting:
- Muscle loss, long-term pain, and a frozen shoulder.
How DPC Improves Results of TSR
Direct Primary Care (DPC) changes how shoulder care is done by putting the patient first and coordinating care ahead of time.
Complete Before Surgery Preparation
- Quick tests: Schedule an MRI or CT scan within 72 hours.
- Prehab programs: Make the deltoids and scapular stabilizers stronger.
- Managing medications: Change blood thinners or DMARDs before surgery.
Clear prices and all-around help
- Care that includes everything: Membership includes referrals to surgeons, physical therapy, and braces after surgery.
- Saving money: Self-pay DPC rates can save you 25% to 50% on facility fees.
- Focus on mental health: Get counseling to help you deal with anxiety about surgery.
Personalized Recovery and Long-Term Health
- Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Take care of pain or incision issues right away after surgery.
- Virtual PT: Use telehealth to teach passive and active exercises.
- Care that stops problems from happening: Suggest calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.
Advantages of DPC for TSR Patients
- No wait times: 90% of DPC patients have surgery planned within 2 weeks, while it usually takes 6 weeks or more.
- Continuity: One team is in charge of pain management, wound care, and making sure that people stick to their rehab plans.
- No extra costs: Clear prices (for example, 20,000 USD for reverse TSR, all included).
Success Stories from Real Life
- Case 1: Sarah, 60, has rotator cuff arthropathy. Sarah's DPC team did a reverse TSR, and she was able to move her arm 160° away from her body in 6 months.
- Case 2: Tom, 70, has very bad osteoarthritis. Tom's DPC provider used anatomic TSR to fix his golf swing in 12 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions: TSR in DPC
- Q: How long before I can drive?
- A: 4–6 weeks after the surgery; if you need a ride, DPC will arrange it.
- Q: Will I need to follow rules 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 the pain doesn't go away?
- A: DPC looks into injections, changes, or pain management.
Why DPC is the best place for shoulder care
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of getting ready for surgery. DPC gets things done by:
- Lessening problems: Prehab lowers the rate of dislocations by 30%.
- 95% of DPC patients finish PT, compared to 70% of patients in the U.S.
- Members save between 5,000 USD and 15,000 USD by bundling their purchases.
Final Thoughts
It's not just about a new joint when you get TSR in DPC; it's about working with a team that cares about your active life. With DPC, you can skip the wait for insurance and get access to the best surgeons. You can also 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.
