Adena Shoulder Surgeon Blends Innovative Techniques with Personalized Patient Care

Regional Shoulder Patients Benefit from Surgeon's Commitment to Active Listening

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Adena Health System orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian Cohen specializes in cutting-edge shoulder procedures including everything from a 45-minute technique called shoulder resurfacing to a reversed shoulder replacement that relieves pain, restores shoulder function and improves range of motion. He is also adept at the practice of active listening and dedicated to building the doctor-patient relationship.

"Taking the time to listen, to truly listen to each patient may seem trivial but it is actually one of the most important aspects of my practice," said Dr. Cohen. "Today the average physician spends seven minutes with a patient. That is simply not enough time to ask the right questions, understand the day-to-day issues and truly counsel a patient about their options,"

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are now a range of non-surgical and surgical options to address various chronic shoulder problems and stages of pain. Patients initially opt for a first-line treatment that includes pain medication and/or physical therapy -- depending on the level of pain and the severity of injury. Then, if initial non-surgical options are ineffective for chronic shoulder pain, there are surgical options to consider.

"I'm committed to building a trusting relationship with my patients and explaining the spectrum of shoulder options. Whether counseling patients on a host of non-surgical options, performing a shoulder resurfacing or a more complex reverse procedure, the goal is to give patients the best option so they can return to pain-free daily living," added Cohen.

The resurfacing shoulder implant is a conservative and more gradual approach to surgery. It is typically done on patients with earlier stage shoulder problems and designed to restore the normal anatomy of the joint while improving range of motion with minimal bone resection. The reversed shoulder replacement is often used on patients with torn rotator cuffs due to injury, aging, overuse, or severe arthritis. Typically performed on patients with more advanced shoulder problems, this procedure is a total joint replacement and allows patients the use of their deltoid muscle to lift their arm versus their rotator cuff.

"Before I met Dr. Cohen, I had two bad experiences with shoulder surgeries that did not work," says Betty Aylor. "When I finally met Dr. Cohen, I was so relieved. I was at a point where I couldn't pick up anything without dropping it," said Aylor. "I had tremendous pain. Dr. Cohen listened to me, recommended and performed the reversed shoulder procedure and I finally have my shoulder back."

About Shoulder Conditions

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year nearly 14 million people seek care for shoulder problems. Many of these shoulder conditions are typically caused by repetitive motion, trauma and arthritis. Dr. Cohen sees patients of all ages and notes that many include aging baby boomers who exercise frequently as well as older patients who experience shoulder problems due to trauma, arthritis, or torn rotator cuffs. Shoulder pain directly affects the quality of life for many of his patients and causes sleep deprivation, functional loss and a significant change in lifestyle to accommodate their injury.

About the Aequalis(R) Resurfacing Shoulder Replacement Implant

The Aequalis(R) Resurfacing Shoulder Replacement Implant is designed to restore the normal anatomy of the joint while improving range of motion. This procedure requires replacing the diseased humeral head surface for high-demand patients with early stage avascular necrosis or glenohumeral joint disease. With Minimal Bone Resection the Aequalis(R) Resurfacing Head allows surgeons to restore the normal joint mechanics and stability of the shoulder with minimal bone resection while preserving precious humeral bone stock for the future.

The Aequalis(R) Reversed Shoulder Replacement

The Aequalis(R) Reversed Shoulder Replacement allows patients the use of their deltoid muscle to lift their arm versus their rotator cuff -- resulting in improved recovery. During the Aequalis(R) Reversed Shoulder Replacement procedure, the metal ball is attached to the shoulder bone and the plastic socket is attached to the upper arm bone. Traditional surgical techniques leave the patient relying on their rotator cuff to lift their arm after the procedure -- a motion which can cause pain and even injure the shoulder joint again.

About Dr. Cohen

Dr. Cohen specializes in treating all injuries of the shoulder and the knee. He utilizes an all-arthroscopic technique for repairing tears of the rotator cuff and performs total shoulder replacement for unresponsive shoulder arthritis and the new reverse ball and socket shoulder replacement for patients with "untreatable" shoulders. Besides treating tears of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and tears of the menisci, Dr. Cohen is fellowship trained and one of the few physicians around the country to utilize the latest techniques of cartilage regeneration for treating injuries of the articular cartilage in both the knee and the shoulder. Dr. Cohen sees patients at the Adena Bone and Joint Center, an integrated practice of Adena Health System in Chillicothe. For more information, patients can visit www.adena.org.

About Adena Health System

Adena Health System is an independent, not-for-profit and locally controlled organization serving the needs of 10 counties in south central Ohio and employing more than 2,000 people. Adena's vision is to be the best healthcare system in the nation through innovation and a customer centered philosophy. The system's family of facilities includes Adena Regional Medical Center, Greenfield Area Medical Center, and Adena Health Centers in Chillicothe, Jackson and Waverly, Ohio. In addition, Adena provides specialty services most normally reserved for larger-city hospitals through the System's Centers of Excellence, including open heart surgery and cardiac catheterization through the Adena Heart Center; cutting edge orthopedic surgeries including reverse shoulder, total joint replacement and minimally invasive spine through the Adena Bone and Joint Center; world-class cancer care close to home with the Adena Center for Cancer Treatment; and modern care for mother and child through Adena's Women's and Children's Center. Adena was founded in 1895 by area churches as the Chillicothe Hospital.

SOURCE Adena Health System

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http://www.adena.org