Barney is a farmer who likes to do things his own way. He’s the independent type who doesn’t like to lean on others if he can fend for himself. That’s one reason he’s so happy after his recent shoulder surgery –— a procedure called “resurfacing.” The procedure is used as an alternative to replacing the entire shoulder joint. Instead, only the diseased part is removed and replaced with an implant. It’s a new option for active shoulder patients like Barney –— an option that spares more of the healthy shoulder tissue.

In January 2004, Barney realized, after suffering from shoulder pain for 20 years, he’d had enough. Pain that at first had been a nuisance became unbearable. Simple motions such as raising his arm over his head or holding a steering wheel hurt. He was living with the pain of arthritis in his right shoulder 24 hours a day. “The pain had gotten so bad that I was only getting 2 or 3 hours of sleep at night. That is when I knew I had to do something,” said Barney.

Barney lives just outside Lynchburg, Ohio, a small farming town. When he’s not spending time with his wife, Barney farms 400 acres. He is also the owner-operator-mechanic of several semi trucks. “Because the pain was constant for 20 years, I learned how to live with it while working,” Barney said. “But when I was not getting the sleep I needed every night, I knew it was something I couldn’t live with.”

At age 56 and active, Barney was losing his ability to do things his own way. Barney sought out the help of an orthopaedic surgeon (def.)Orthopaedic Surgeon (Orthopaedic Specialist) orthopaedic surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the body's bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons (musculoskeletal disorders.) in January 2004.

Barney’s surgeon opted for a procedure called joint resurfacing for Barney. This new procedure uses an implant called the Global C.A.P.™ Resurfacing Humeral Head (def.)Humerus The humerus is the long arm bone located between the shoulder and elbow. The upper portion of the humerus (humeral head) is the "ball" at the top of the arm bone. Implant from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Joint resurfacing is an alternative to total joint replacement. Joint resurfacing replaces just the diseased part of the joint instead of the entire joint. It is a surgical procedure that allows patients to retain much of their natural tissue. This gradual approach to surgery provides pain relief at an earlier stage of joint disease, while still making it possible to have a full shoulder replacement later if one becomes necessary.

The Global C.A.P. implant is for patients with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or humeral head fractures. The Global C.A.P. implant, made of a single piece of cobalt chrome metal, is specially designed to retain as much of the patient’s healthy tissue and bone as possible. It attaches to the humeral head (the top of humerus or the “ball” of the ball-and-socket joint).

Of course, the procedure is not for everyone. As with any surgery, there are risks, and recovery takes time and hard work. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can advise whether this option is appropriate for a particular patient.

Recovery for Barney consisted of physical therapy twice a week and exercises he could carry out on his own. Barney said the only pain he felt after surgery was from the stretching, which was necessary for an effective recovery.

“Within 6 months, I was back to doing the things I love, without any pain,” said Barney. “I wish I would have had surgery sooner and had not lived with the pain for 20 years.”