The MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center at Long Beach Medical Center is proud to be the first hospital in Los Angeles County to offer the ExactechGPS® Shoulder Application system.

The ExactechGPS® Shoulder Application system is used to assist surgeons in performing shoulder replacement surgery through advanced accuracy and precision. The advanced computer system provides surgeons with 3D visual guidance during surgery, allowing surgeons to make adjustments as needed in real-time.

Shoulder pain can usually be treated with non-surgical methods, but shoulder replacement surgery is an option for people with debilitating pain. It is encouraged to try all other conservative treatment options before proceeding with a shoulder replacement surgery.

“When someone comes to us with pain we try to manage pain first, before proceeding with surgery” says Michael Pahl, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center, Long Beach Medical Center. “Those who have severe levels of pain that affect their quality of life can consider surgery as a last option.”

During surgery, the system produces a real-time GPS map for all the surgical steps, from the removal of bone, to the ideal placement and alignment of the shoulder implants. Surgeons use the GPS images to adjust the procedure as needed, based on a patient’s unique shoulder anatomy.

Benefits of ExactechGPS®

  • Improved pre-operative planning that allows surgeons to better visualize a patient’s unique anatomy and create a plan prior to surgery.
  • Real-time feedback during surgery based on a 3D model of the patient’s shoulder, allowing for adjustments to be made immediately.
  • Surgical personalization for each patient with key measurements and trackers placed on the patient’s bone.

ExactechGPS® allows surgeons to see the exact shoulder anatomy and place the implant for perfect alignment. This precise shoulder implant placement and joint alignment leads to improved patient outcomes in function and durability.

Long Beach Medical Center is a leader in the latest technologies and advances in health care treatments. The ExactechGPS® is one of many technologies available for patients in need of surgery. To learn more about the latest and upcoming health care and surgical technologies offered at Long Beach Medical Center, visit memorialcare.org/FutureIsHere or call 800-MEMORIAL.