VIP is an advanced technique that uses computer software and imaging to create a customised surgical plan for shoulder replacement. This ensures optimal implant placement, improving outcomes and reducing complications
Published Jan 18, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 18, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Shoulder pain. (iStock)
For over a decade, 49 year old software engineer Prabhu (name changed) endured relentless pain in his left shoulder. The aftermath of a dislocation surgery left him with a deteriorating condition that affected his daily life. Even simple tasks like reaching behind his back or driving became unbearable for Prabhu.
Nights were sleepless until he consulted Dr Srivatsa Subramanya, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and shoulder and knee specialist at Vasavi Hospitals in Bengaluru.
The surgeon and his team found that he had secondary osteoarthritis of shoulder and the cartilage in his joint had worn out, causing severe pain as the bones rubbed against each other.
Shoulder replacement was the only viable option.
The doctors explained to South First that this was not an ordinary shoulder replacement surgery. The team at Vasavi Hospitals tried the revolutionary Virtual Implant Positioning (VIP) technology.
“Using this advanced software, we planned the implant positioning with remarkable precision, tailored to his specific anatomy,” explained Dr Subramanya to South First.
The VIP Process started with detailed imaging scans, which were used to create a 3D model of Prabhu’s shoulder joint. The team virutally simulated the surgery, adjusting the implant size, shape and alignment to ensure the best fit.
Two days after the surgery, which went as planned, Prabhu was discharged.
Three months on, he says his life has transformed.
Dr Subramanya said, “He can now perform daily activities pain-free, drive comfortably, and even sleep soundly – something he had not done in years.”
VIP is an advanced technique that uses computer software and imaging to create a customised surgical plan for shoulder replacement. This ensures optimal implant placement, improving outcomes and reducing complications.
High resolution CT or MRI provide detailed images of the shoulder joint. A 3D digital model of the joint is created to visualise its structure from every angle and then surgeons use the model to select the ideal implant size and position.
A personalised surgical plan guides the procedure with precision.
Precise placement reduces risk of misalignment and complications.
Tailored implants mimic natural joint movement
Proper alignment minimises risks of wear, instability or dislocation.
Better implant fit often leads to improved function and quicker rehabilitation.
Dr Subramanya explained that after the surgery, patients need to follow a rehabilitation programme to regain strength and mobility in the shoulder.
“With proper implant placement, patients often experience a smoother recovery and better functional outcomes. Your physiotherapist will work with you to help restore movement, flexibility, and strength over time.”
According to doctors people with primary or secondary osteoarthritis where the cartilage in the shoulder joint has worn away are ideal candidates for this surgery.
Osteoarthritis can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, which shoulder replacement with VIP can effectively address.
Even those who have severe shoulder trauma or fractures of the shoulder joint –especially those where the bone structure is difficult to reconstruct – can benefit from VIP.
The precision planning, doctors say, can help surgeons manage even the most complicated cases.
Meanwhile people with rotator cuff tear arthropathy, a degenerative condition that affects the shoulder, can also benefit from VIP, when it is used to ensure proper implant positioning for reverse shoulder replacements, a specialised surgery for this condition.
Younger individuals who have post traumatic arthritis or damage from sports injuries and require shoulder replacements can also benefit.
There are also benefits for people like Prabhu, who have undergone failed shoulder surgeries in the past.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
