Research from the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) may have had an unanticipated secondary effect by saving Christmas. In a study published in the BMJ in March, the team found that reverse total shoulder replacement (RTSR) — an artificial joint replacement that reverses the traditional shoulder joint anatomy — provides similar long-term outcomes to traditional anatomical total shoulder replacement (TSR) for a significant subset of patients. The research team conducted a population-based cohort study that included over 12,000 patients aged 60 years or older who underwent RTSR or TSR for osteoarthritis with intact rotator cuff tendons.
‘Mr C’ has a broad face and a little round belly that shakes when he laughs, like a bowlful of jelly. ‘Mr C’’s employment is vocational and largely seasonal, with a lot of heavy lifting culminating at the end of December (often known as the most wonderful time of the year), when the subject repeatedly engages in a trademark throw of his sack over his shoulder. After years of service, ‘Mr C’ developed osteoarthritis and needs a shoulder replacement, but has been holding back not knowing which procedure to go for. He has been particularly concerned about being able to control his team of reindeer, who can become rather excitable on their annual excursions.
A particular concern was the risk of letting down millions of children all over the world, and while belief in magic remains efficacious, he was heartened to hear researchers at NDORMS have now answered that important question. Epaminondas Markos Valsamis, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow and lead author on the study, commented that he was pleased ‘that “Mr C” would be able to continue with his endeavours for centuries to come no matter whether he had a TSR or RTSR, safeguarding the magic of Christmas.’
‘Mr C’ is now already on the waiting list for a shoulder replacement, noting only in passing that parking at the NOC has previously been problematic in his larger than average, off-road vehicle.