Patient

stories

Everyone is different. Your shoulder is unique, and your pain is unique. But one thing we all have in common is the desire to be pain-free and to keep moving. Watch the patient education video featuring Dr. Kasim to hear what you can expect during shoulder replacement surgery as well as the below patient stories to hear about their journeys and how shoulder replacement put them back in control and on the move. Take the first step towards creating your own success story.

Matt

Heinzmann

Tornier Pyrocarbon Humeral Head

"Before surgery, I had difficulty putting my police uniform on and had to do it a certain way to avoid pain,” Matt said. “Now I’m able to put my uniform on normally, and even years later, I still have to remind myself that I can do activities I wasn’t able to do before."

From years as a football player to more than two decades in law enforcement, Matt Heinzmann’s physically demanding career led to severe shoulder damage and chronic pain that impacted both his work and daily life. After an unsuccessful labrum surgery and years of relying on his left arm, Matt met with Dr. Michael Freehill of Summit Orthopaedics and learned he was a candidate for a Pyrocarbon shoulder implant designed to support a more active lifestyle.

Jackie

Bradshaw

Tornier Pyrocarbon Humeral Head

“The fact that I can go play pickleball and get back to conducting, that’s a credit to Stryker.”

At age 19, professional pickleball player, Jackie Bradshaw, had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a disorder causing shoulder instability and loosening of the joints. When faced with her fourth shoulder surgery, Jackie met with Dr. Julie Bishop, a clinical professor of orthopedics at The Ohio University College of Medicine and an orthopedic shoulder surgeon. Dr. Bishop knew Jackie needed a unique surgical approach, and decided the Pyrocarbon humeral head was the best solution.

Following surgery and thanks to the advanced bearing material in Pyrocarbon, Jackie’s right shoulder is stable for the first time in her life.

Dr. Greg

Taylor

Shoulder iD Primary Reversed Glenoid

"Both shoulders were feeling great for overhead stroke."

Dr. Greg Taylor, a retired orthopaedic surgeon, has always led an active lifestyle, from swimming to scuba diving and lifting weights. He knew it was time for shoulder replacement when he started experiencing pain in his right shoulder and had to become left-handed at everything. Three months following the surgery, Dr. Taylor was able to resume swimming with no pain, and five months post-op, he could get out of the water using the dive ladder with no hesitation or discomfort.

Jeff

Brantley

Blueprint 3D Planning

"The first time being able to go out and throw with my son, it was great for me but it was greater for him."

Jeff, a former baseball pitcher had a history of shoulder pain that culminated after his career when he couldn’t perform everyday tasks, “I can’t even get a pitcher of milk out of the refrigerator, I’m a pro athlete, I should be able to do that in my sleep!”… “I don’t mind the pain, I just want to have a catch with my son.

Jeff had a shoulder replacement and after four months, his original pain was gone and he was able to resume daily activities.

Find a doctor today in your area.

Find out why your shoulder hurts.

Important information

Partial shoulder replacement is intended for use in individuals with an intact or reconstructable rotator cuff, where it is intended to provide increased mobility, stability, and to relieve pain for shoulder joints disabled by: • Non-inflammatory degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis) • Traumatic arthritis Anatomic shoulder replacement is intended for use in individuals with an intact or reconstructable rotator cuff, where it is intended to provide increased mobility, stability, and to relieve pain for shoulder joints disabled by: • Non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease (i.e. osteoarthritis) and avascular necrosis • Correction of functional deformity • Post-traumatic arthritis • Revisions or fractures of the humeral head where adequate fixation can be achieved and adequate bone stock remains Reverse total shoulder joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with a functional deltoid muscle, grossly deficient rotator cuff, and pain disabled by one or more of the following: • Non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease (i.e. osteoarthritis) and avascular necrosis • Pseudoparalysis or anterior superior escape • Rotator cuff tear • Correction of functional deformity • Post-traumatic arthritis • Revisions or fractures of the humeral head where adequate fixation can be achieved and adequate bone stock remains Shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of device stability, device fixation failure or complications in postoperative care. Additionally, shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients whose anticipated activities would impose high levels of stress on the shoulder. Like any surgery, shoulder replacement surgery has potential risks. Some may occur during surgery, such as bleeding, bone fracture, injury to nearby blood vessels or nerves, or other surgical or anesthesia-related complications. Other risks may occur during or after surgery and can include pain or stiffness, infection, blood clots, changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm, lung problems such as pneumonia or emboli, stroke or heart attack, and death. Implant related risks which may lead to a revision or removal of the implant include dislocation of the implant, loosening or wear of the implant, bone fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear or breakage of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, and reaction to particle debris. Being overweight, manual labor activities, some sports activities, patient age, activity level, certain medical conditions, alcohol or drug addiction, and mental disorders may be associated with increased risks. Shoulder joint implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint. The information presented is for educational purposes only. Stryker is not dispensing medical advice. Please speak to your doctor to decide if shoulder joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Only your doctor can make the medical decision about which products and treatments are right for your own individual condition. As with any surgery, joint replacement carries certain risks. Your surgeon will explain all the possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects. Additionally, the lifetime of a joint replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual. Also, each patient will experience a different post-operative activity level, depending on their own individual clinical factors. Your doctor will help counsel you about how to best maintain your activities to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device.

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Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Blueprint, ReUnion, Simpliciti, Shoulder iD, Stryker, Tornier. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

Copyright © 2026 Stryker

OT-AWI-53 Oct-2023

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