FLAGSTAFF (April 9, 2025) – Dr. Yuri Lewicky and Northern Arizona Orthopaedics (NAO) is one of a handful of medical practices worldwide performing an innovative all-arthroscopic surgical procedure to treat patients suffering from instability due to severe bone loss in the shoulder. The procedure, known as Arthroscopic Distal Tibial Allograft Bone Augmentation with Cerclage Fixation, uses the end of a donated shin bone and its associated cartilage to reconstruct the socket portion of the shoulder and is performed entirely via a small scope known as an arthroscope, “arthro” meaning joint. Dr. Lewicky, an orthopedic surgeon at NAO, who specializes in shoulder surgery, is among a select group of doctors trained in this procedure.
This advanced all-arthroscopic technique involves using a fresh donor graft of bone and cartilage from the end of the shin bone at the ankle (distal tibia) to help rebuild the glenoid—the socket that forms the shoulder joint. The shin bone’s unique size and shape make it an ideal match for shoulder reconstruction. Dr. Lewicky secures the graft with a tensioned cerclage fixation, a suture-based method that eliminates the need for metal hardware, reducing the risk of complications.
Candidates for this procedure typically suffer from anterior shoulder instability, where the shoulder joint repeatedly dislocates or partially slips out of place. This condition is often accompanied by significant bone loss in the glenoid, making conventional surgical methods less effective. The use of fresh donor bone offers a promising alternative to traditional treatments by providing a living cartilage surface and a graft size that matches the patient’s defect—while eliminating the need to harvest bone from the patient’s own body.
Unlike traditional approaches, the procedure Dr. Lewicky performs offers a less invasive, highly effective solution for patients with critical glenoid bone loss. The donated bone’s durability and similar shape to the natural shoulder joint make it a perfect fit for reconstruction.
“This procedure will revolutionize the treatment of patients with shoulder instability and significant bone loss, offering them a more effective and less invasive alternative to traditional surgery,” said Dr. Lewicky. “I am honored to introduce this cutting-edge technique to the Northern Arizona community.”
About Northern Arizona Orthopaedics
Northern Arizona Orthopaedics is one of the largest orthopedic practices in the region, with clinic locations in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley and the White Mountains/Lakeside. To treat all of your musculoskeletal care needs, we have surgeons specializing in multiple sub-specialties of bone and joint care, including spine. As part of the Northern Arizona community for more than 50 years, we have built a reputation for quality care and Experience You Can Trust. Our philosophy embodies not simply taking care of patients but actually “caring” for patients. For more information, please visit https://northazortho.com/.
About Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo)
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) is the national leader of integrated musculoskeletal value-based health outcomes management, practice management and health system service line management. This encompasses comprehensive expertise across all MSK specialties, including orthopedics, spine, neurosurgery, hand, pain management, rehabilitation and neurology. HOPCo’s integrated care, analytics and facilities development and management platforms have proven to increase the quality of patient care while reliably reducing the total cost of care across the care continuum for practices, health systems and payors alike. HOPCo’s affiliated payors, practices and health systems successfully participate in highly efficient value-based contracting (bundled payments, chronic episodes of care initiatives, population health programs and other advanced risk-based arrangements) utilizing HOPCo’s proprietary platforms, IT solutions, integrated analytics and evidence-based comprehensive care pathways. Visit https://hopco.com to learn more.
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Media Contact:
Annebeth Ahrenholz
Communications Specialist
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo)
623.241.8779
Annebeth.Ahrenholz@hopco.com
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