FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A combination of age and injury can lead to painful shoulder problems that can be complex to treat.

"When you have arthritis with a rotator cuff tear the typical approach was pain medication, which certainly has limits," said Dr. Jonathan Levy, an orthopedic surgeon with Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale.

When all else fails, doctors are able to ease discomfort and increase activity through a unique procedure called Reverse Shoulder Replacement.

"I like to say it's the biggest advancement in shoulder surgery in 20 years," said Levy.

Just as the name suggests, the ball and socket are reversed to create a more stable shoulder.

"What we are essentially doing is using the outer muscle, the deltoid muscle, to power the shoulder so you don't need the deep muscle, the rotator cuff muscle," said Levy.

Ralph Aronson recently went through the procedure after x-rays revealed he was suffering from arthritis and a rotator cuff tear.

"I couldn't move my left arm. It was of no use to me," said Aronson of the pain he endured before to surgery.

A few weeks after the procedure, Aronson was back to enjoying his daily swims in the pool.

"Now I can do 90 to 95 percent of what my right arm can do," Aronson said.

The procedure is also used in revisions surgery, after failed shoulder replacement and shoulder fractures.

Levy cautions that a Reverse Shoulder Replacement should only be performed if simpler, non-operative treatments have failed to alleviate pain.

Patients should ask their doctor about his or her experience with Reverse Shoulder Replacement, as it is still a relatively new surgical procedure.

To reach Dr. Levy call 954-958-4800.