Should you really wait until you’re 65 to have a shoulder replacement?

For younger, active patients with severe shoulder arthritis, that traditional advice can mean living with pain for years — sometimes while becoming less active and less healthy in the process.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, orthopedic shoulder surgeons Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens discuss how newer approaches are changing that conversation.

We break down subscapularis-sparing shoulder replacement, a technique that allows surgeons to perform certain shoulder replacements without intentionally cutting and repairing the subscapularis tendon. Because that tendon does not have to heal from a surgical repair, selected patients may be able to come out of the sling and regain independence earlier.

We also discuss pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty, particularly for younger and highly active patients who want to continue lifting, working, wrestling, practicing jiu-jitsu, or participating in other demanding activities.

Along the way, we discuss implant longevity, activity restrictions, revision surgery, preserving bone for the future, patient selection, and why surgeons sometimes need to change the surgical plan based on what they find in the operating room.

Shoulder replacement is evolving. For the right patient, newer materials and muscle-sparing techniques may provide options that weren’t available a generation ago.

The Shoulder Blueprint is hosted by Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens.

Contact: [email protected]

Follow Dr. Caleb Davis:
Instagram, TikTok & X: @CalebDavisMD
YouTube: Caleb Davis - MD

Follow Dr. Justin Givens:
@GivensShoulderElbow

Follow The Shoulder Blueprint on Instagram:
@ShoulderBlueprint

You can also check out The Wellness Blueprint with Dr. Caleb Davis.

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are our own and do not represent those of our employers or affiliated professional organizations.

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Robotic-assisted shoulder replacement is one of the newest technologies in orthopedic surgery—but what does the robot actually do?

Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens take you inside the operating room to explain how MAKO robotic-assisted reverse shoulder replacement works. They walk through the process from the preoperative CT scan and 3D surgical plan to tracking the shoulder blade, preparing the socket, and using haptic boundaries that prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned surgical area.

Most importantly: the robot does not perform the surgery on its own. The surgeon remains in complete control.

The discussion also goes beyond how the technology works. Caleb and Justin examine some of the biggest questions surrounding robotic shoulder replacement: Does greater accuracy actually improve patient outcomes? Does robotics make surgery faster? Can it reduce outliers? And could the enormous amount of surgical data being collected ultimately change how surgeons determine the ideal position for a shoulder replacement?

They also discuss the limitations of the technology, the importance of surgical skill and soft-tissue management, and why the true clinical impact of robotic shoulder replacement will require years of research.

A practical, balanced look at where robotic shoulder replacement stands today—and where it may be headed next.

The Shoulder Blueprint
Hosted by Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens

Educational content only. This podcast does not provide individualized medical advice.

Reverse shoulder replacement has transformed the way surgeons treat some of the most difficult shoulder problems but what exactly are we “reversing,” and why does it work?

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens explain how reverse shoulder arthroplasty works, how the procedure evolved, and why it has become such an important option for patients with severe arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears, fractures, deformity, and failed previous shoulder replacements.

They also discuss the realities patients need to understand before surgery, including expected pain relief and function, limitations with internal rotation, acromial stress fractures, dislocation, implant positioning, and why setting realistic expectations is one of the most important parts of a successful shoulder replacement.

Plus, they look at the history of the reverse shoulder and the influence of Dr. Mark Frankle on the modern American design.

Next episode: robotic-assisted shoulder replacement and CT-based preoperative planning.

The Shoulder Blueprint is an educational podcast and is not intended to provide individual medical advice

What happens when someone has severe shoulder arthritis in their 40s or 50s but is still extremely active?

Traditional shoulder replacement can provide excellent pain relief but in younger patients, surgeons also have to think about what that shoulder will look like 10, 20, or even 30 years later.

IDr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens discuss pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty, a newer approach that replaces the humeral head while preserving the patient’s native socket.

They explain what pyrocarbon is, why its properties may make it more bone-friendly than traditional cobalt-chrome implants, and why it has become an increasingly interesting option for young and active patients.

The discussion covers patient selection, arthritis, avascular necrosis, rotator cuff requirements, recovery expectations, technical challenges such as overstuffing, and the limitations of the long-term data we currently have.

They also discuss an important shift happening in shoulder surgery: why some experienced surgeons who spent decades performing traditional anatomic shoulder replacements are now reconsidering how they treat their youngest and most active patients.

Topics include:
• What is a pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasty?
• Pyrocarbon vs traditional metal implants
• Preserving the glenoid in younger patients
• Shoulder replacement longevity
• Arthritis and avascular necrosis
• Recovery after pyrocarbon shoulder replacement
• Rotator cuff considerations
• Overstuffing and surgical technique
• What the long-term evidence currently shows
• Where pyrocarbon may fit into the future of shoulder replacement

The Shoulder Blueprint is hosted by orthopedic shoulder surgeons Caleb Davis, MD and Justin Givens, MD.

Educational content only. This podcast is not a substitute for individualized medical evaluation or treatment.

Shoulder replacement is not a one-size-fits-all operation. In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens take a deep dive into anatomic total shoulder replacement: how it works, who may benefit from it, and why reverse shoulder replacement has become increasingly common.

They discuss:

• Why a healthy rotator cuff is essential for an anatomic shoulder replacement
• The potential for more natural motion, strength, and function
• Polyethylene wear, implant loosening, and long-term bone loss
• Subscapularis-sparing shoulder replacement and how it may accelerate recovery
• How age, activity level, glenoid deformity, and future revision risk influence implant selection
• Why surgeons sometimes plan an anatomic replacement but change to a reverse replacement during surgery

The central message is simple: the best shoulder replacement is not necessarily the newest or most popular implant. It is the operation that best matches the patient’s anatomy, rotator cuff, goals, age, and long-term needs.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Caleb Davis is joined by physical therapist Luke Brohm, PT, to discuss how patients can optimize recovery after surgery.

Drawing from both professional experience and Luke’s current recovery from Achilles tendon surgery, this episode explores practical and evidence-based strategies to improve healing, reduce complications, preserve muscle mass, improve sleep, and safely return to activity.

The conversation covers:

• Early mobilization and blood clot prevention
• Preventing post-operative muscle atrophy
• Sleep and circadian rhythm after surgery
• Pain management and opioid reduction
• Blood flow restriction training (BFR)
• Neuromuscular reactivation and cross-education
• CRPS and nervous system sensitization
• Recovery psychology and maintaining routine
• Practical rehab strategies patients can apply immediately

An insightful discussion for athletes, surgical patients, clinicians, and anyone interested in recovery science and orthopedic rehabilitation.

Dr. Caleb Davis is joined by physical therapist Dr. Luke Brohm following Luke’s recent Achilles tendon rupture and surgery.

The conversation explores the evidence behind optimizing recovery after orthopedic injuries and surgery, including:

• The importance of protein intake

• Sleep deprivation and injury risk

• Vitamin D deficiency

• Magnesium and pain modulation

• Zinc and vitamin C for wound healing

• Creatine, collagen, and BCAA supplementation

• Whole food nutrition vs supplementation

• Recovery strategies for athletes and older adults

Luke also shares how reduced sleep, increased physical stress, and inadequate recovery may have contributed to his injury despite an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

This episode focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies patients can use to improve healing, preserve muscle mass, reduce complications, and support recovery after surgery.

Follow Dr. Caleb Davis:
Website: calebdavismd.com
Instagram: @calebdavismd

Dr. Caleb Davis sits down with former MLB pitcher Josh Fogg for a candid conversation about the realities of high-level throwing sports.

From an underdog path to the big leagues to dealing with long-term shoulder degeneration, Josh shares firsthand insight into what elite performance really costs and what he would do differently today.

We discuss:

-The evolution of training and recovery in baseball-Overuse injuries and long-term joint damage-Mental toughness vs. modern sports psychology-Shoulder arthritis, injections, and delaying surgery-Strength, longevity, and finding balance after sports

📲 Connect with Dr. Caleb Davis

🌐 Website: https://calebdavismd.com📧 Email: [email protected]📱 Social: @calebdavismd

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens dive into the controversy surrounding impingement syndrome vs. subacromial pain syndrome. They explore the evolution of how we understand shoulder pain, why older mechanical theories fall short, and what current evidence tells us about diagnosis and treatment.

You’ll learn:

• Why impingement isn’t just a “tight space” problem
• How inflammation drives most symptoms
• When to treat conservatively vs. escalate care
• Why imaging can sometimes do more harm than good
• The real role of therapy, injections, and surgery

A nuanced, honest discussion designed to cut through misinformation and help you better understand shoulder pain

AC joint pain is one of the most common causes of shoulder painespecially in active individuals and weightlifters but it’s often misunderstood and overtreated.

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Davis and Dr. Justin Givens break down the anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of AC joint pathology, including why imaging alone can be misleading and how to truly identify the pain generator.

They discuss key physical exam findings, the role of diagnostic injections, and how to differentiate AC joint pain from rotator cuff issues, biceps pathology, and even cervical spine conditions.

The episode also covers non-operative treatment strategies, including physical therapy and activity modification, as well as when a distal clavicle excision may be appropriate and why that decision should always be made before entering the operating room.

This is a must-listen for anyone dealing with shoulder pain