Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Brian Butzen MD - Durango Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Brian Butzen has watched many patients walk into his Durango office carrying their arm like a broken wing. After more than a decade serving the Four Corners region since 2013, this board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon has seen how shoulder pain can steal away simple pleasures—reaching for a coffee mug, hugging grandchildren, or just getting a good night's sleep. His expertise in reverse total shoulder replacement surgery has helped hundreds of patients in Durango, Cortez, Farmington, and Pagosa Springs reclaim their lives when traditional treatments couldn't provide relief.
What Makes Reverse Shoulder Replacement Different?
Think of your shoulder like a ball sitting in a shallow cup. In a normal shoulder, the ball (head of your upper arm bone) sits in the cup (socket of your shoulder blade). But what happens when the muscles that hold this ball in place—your rotator cuff—are torn beyond repair?
That's where reverse total shoulder replacement surgery changes the game. This procedure literally flips the anatomy. The ball goes where the cup used to be, and the cup goes where the ball was. It sounds backwards, but that's exactly the point.
"I had a rancher from Cortez who couldn't lift his arm high enough to put on his hat," Dr. Butzen recalls. "Six months after reverse shoulder replacement, he was back to working cattle. The difference this surgery makes in people's lives never gets old."
Who Needs Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Not everyone with shoulder pain needs this procedure. Dr. Butzen typically recommends reverse total shoulder replacement surgery for patients dealing with:
Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear
When the tendons that move your shoulder are torn so badly they can't be fixed, your arm loses much of its strength and motion. Traditional shoulder replacement won't work because those torn muscles can't hold the new joint in place.
Severe Shoulder Arthritis Treatment
Sometimes arthritis wears away so much bone and cartilage that a regular joint replacement can't get a good grip. The reverse design gives the new joint better stability.
Failed Previous Shoulder Surgery
If you've had shoulder replacement before and it didn't work or wore out, reverse replacement often provides a second chance.
Complex Shoulder Fractures
Some broken shoulders heal in ways that make normal movement impossible. The reverse design can work around these problems.
How Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Works
The genius of this surgery lies in using your deltoid muscle—the big muscle that caps your shoulder—to do the work your rotator cuff used to do.
In Durango's active community, Dr. Butzen has performed this surgery on everyone from retired teachers to weekend warriors who love hiking the Colorado Trail. The procedure typically takes about two hours and involves:
Removing damaged bone and cartilage from both the ball and socket
Installing the reversed components - a metal ball where your socket was, and a plastic cup where your arm bone's head used to be
Positioning everything so your deltoid muscle can lift your arm
The beauty of this design is that it doesn't rely on your torn rotator cuff muscles. Your deltoid takes over the heavy lifting.
What to Expect: The Real Talk About Recovery
Dr. Butzen's patients often ask him to be straight with them about recovery. Here's what you can expect:
First Few Weeks
Your arm will be in a sling. You'll feel like you want to move it, but patience pays off here. The new joint needs time to settle in.
Months 1-3
Physical therapy starts slowly. You'll work with therapists who understand the unique needs of reverse shoulder patients. Dr. Butzen works closely with rehabilitation specialists throughout the Four Corners region.
Months 3-6
This is where most patients start seeing the real benefits. Pain decreases significantly, and you begin regaining motion and strength.
One patient from Pagosa Springs told Dr. Butzen, "I forgot what it felt like to sleep through the night without shoulder pain. Now I wake up refreshed instead of exhausted."
Why Choose Dr. Butzen for Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Since establishing his practice in Durango in 2013, Dr. Butzen has built a reputation for combining technical expertise with genuine care for his patients. His fellowship training in shoulder surgery means he's completed additional specialized education beyond his orthopedic residency.
Patients travel from across the Four Corners region—Farmington, Cortez, and Pagosa Springs—because they know they're getting surgeon-level expertise without having to drive to Denver or Phoenix.
"What I love about practicing in Durango is the relationships," Dr. Butzen explains. "I see my patients at the grocery store, at their grandkids' soccer games. They're not just cases to me—they're neighbors."
Living with a Reverse Shoulder Replacement
The goal isn't to make you feel 20 again. But most patients find they can:
Reach overhead to get items from shelves
Lift their arm to shoulder height or higher
Sleep comfortably through the night
Perform daily activities without constant pain
A retired teacher from Durango recently told Dr. Butzen, "I can reach up to write on the whiteboard again. I thought my teaching days were over."
Advanced Techniques for Better Outcomes
Dr. Butzen stays current with the latest advances in reverse shoulder replacement surgery. This includes:
Improved implant designs that last longer and move more naturally
Computer-assisted planning to ensure precise positioning
Minimally invasive techniques when appropriate
Enhanced recovery protocols to get you moving sooner
The Durango Advantage
Getting your reverse total shoulder replacement surgery in Durango means you don't have to travel far from home for world-class care. Dr. Butzen's practice at Animas Orthopedic Associates provides:
Same-day consultations often available
Coordination with your primary care doctor
Access to excellent physical therapy right here in the Four Corners
Follow-up care that doesn't require long drives
Making the Decision
Choosing reverse shoulder replacement surgery is a big decision. Dr. Butzen takes time to explain your options, answer questions, and make sure you understand what to expect.
"I never rush anyone into surgery," he says. "But when someone has tried everything else and their shoulder is keeping them from living their life, this procedure can be life-changing."
The Science Behind Success
Research shows that reverse total shoulder replacement surgery provides significant pain relief and improved function for the right candidates. Studies indicate that over 90% of patients experience substantial pain reduction and regain functional use of their arm.
Your Next Steps
If shoulder pain is limiting your life, and conservative treatments haven't helped, it might be time to explore your options. Dr. Butzen offers comprehensive evaluations to determine if reverse shoulder replacement surgery could help you.
Living in Durango, Cortez, Farmington, or Pagosa Springs doesn't mean you have to settle for limited treatment options. World-class shoulder arthritis treatment and expertise in irreparable rotator cuff tear management is available right here in the Four Corners region.
The mountains aren't going anywhere, but your shoulder pain doesn't have to stay either. Sometimes the best way forward is to reverse what's not working and build something better.
Dr. Brian Butzen is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, wrist, and hand surgery. He has been serving the Durango, Colorado community and Four Corners region since 2013 as part of Animas Orthopedic Associates, with a satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.