The Role of Physical Therapy in Rehabilitating Patients with Exactech Shoulder Issues

For patients who are dealing with Exactech shoulder issues, determining the best course of treatment is critical. Due to a defect in Exactech’s packaging, its Equinoxe Shoulder System joint replacement devices are prone to cracking and degrading over time. This can present a variety of risks, and, for many patients, revision surgery will be necessary.

In both surgical and non-surgical cases, physical therapy will be an important means of treatment. When revision surgery isn’t necessary, physical therapy can help to both reduce patients’ pain and preserve their strength and range of motion. When revision surgery is necessary, physical therapy can be essential for helping the shoulder heal safely while also helping to ensure that the patient retains as much use of the shoulder as possible.

Rehabilitation Through Therapy: Managing the Effects of an Equinoxe Shoulder System Implant Defect

Regardless of whether a patient needs to undergo revision surgery to replace a defective Exactech shoulder replacement device, it will be important to understand the goals of physical therapy during the patient’s recovery. Physical therapy can serve different purposes, and what can be achieved through physical therapy will depend on the nature and extent of the damage caused by the defective Exactech device, the patient’s overall health condition and various other factors. For example, depending on the circumstances, the goals of physical therapy may include:

• Eliminating or Reducing the Patient’s Shoulder Pain – In some cases, physical therapy can help to eliminate the pain caused by complications from a defective Exactech shoulder implant. In others, the primary goal of physical therapy may be to help reduce the patient’s pain to a manageable level. In this latter scenario, physical therapy may be combined with the use of pain medications to achieve a comfortable daily living experience.
• Regaining the Patient’s Shoulder and Arm Strength – Physical therapy can also be an effective (and necessary) means of restoring a patient’s shoulder and arm strength following an Exactech shoulder injury. Typically, strength-focused exercises will begin with light weights and gradually increase in intensity over a period of weeks or months.
• Restoring the Patient’s Shoulder and Arm Mobility – Restoring shoulder and arm mobility is a common goal of physical therapy for patients with Exactech shoulder injuries as well. Complications caused by Exactech’s defective Equinoxe Shoulder System implants can significantly reduce patients’ range of motion in the shoulder, and physical therapy can help reverse this effect in many cases.
• Maximizing the Practical Usability of the Patient’s Shoulder – Ultimately, the goal of physical therapy for most patients with Exactech shoulder issues is to maximize the practical usability of their shoulder. Being unable to use your shoulder can negatively impact all aspects of your personal and professional lives. As a result, regaining as much function as possible can greatly improve your quality of life while also helping to minimize the lifelong financial costs of your defective Equinoxe Shoulder System joint replacement device.

Once the goal (or goals) of physical therapy have been determined, then the next step is to decide on what forms of physical therapy are likely to be most effective. Notably, many of the recommended exercises do not focus on the shoulder specifically, and they are designed to build strength and mobility from the shoulder through the entire arm. For example, some of the exercises that your doctor may recommend after shoulder replacement surgery (or revision surgery to replace a defective Exactech device) include:

• Elbow range-of-motion exercises
• Grip strengthening exercises
• Scapula retraction exercises
• Supported arm pendulums
• External rotation exercises

It is important to emphasize that while these exercises (among others) can help to rehabilitate patients with Exactech shoulder issues, they can also be dangerous if performed too soon after a procedure or if performed incorrectly. As a result, before doing any of these exercises, patients should consult with their healthcare providers to ensure that they are doing what is best for their individual circumstances.

When Physical Therapy Isn’t Enough: Understanding and Managing Long-Term Complications from Exactech Shoulder Replacement Defects

While physical therapy can be an effective means of treatment for some patients with Exactech shoulder issues, it won’t always be enough. Sometimes, even with physical therapy, patients will experience long-term or permanent complications.

When this is the case, various other forms of treatment may be necessary. For example, for patients who have not yet undergone revision surgery, it may be time to discuss surgery with their doctors. When a defective Exactech shoulder implant cracks or degrades and fails, the only viable solution may be to replace the device with a new one. With that said, there are other potential options as well. Again, patients will need to consult with their doctors to determine the best approach based on their specific medical needs.

Managing the Costs of Care: Filing a Lawsuit Against Exactech for a Defective Equinoxe Shoulder System Joint Replacement Device

All forms of treatment for Exactech shoulder issues can be expensive, and, for many patients, covering the costs of their care will involve filing a lawsuit against Exactech. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified a specific issue with Exactech’s packaging that causes its Equinoxe Shoulder System joint replacement devices to crack and degrade prematurely, and Searcy Denney lawyers are actively pursuing claims against the company on behalf of multiple patients.

Patients who file lawsuits against Exactech can seek to recover just compensation not only for their financial costs but for their non-financial costs as well. As a victim of a defective Exactech shoulder implant, making sure you have the financial resources you need to cope with your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering can be essential to your long-term well-being.

Discuss Your Legal Rights with an Exactech Shoulder Replacement Lawyer at Searcy Denney

If you have questions about filing a lawsuit related to an Exactech shoulder issue, we encourage you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Searcy Denney. To request an appointment, please call 800-780-8607 or send us a message online today.