Will Deltoid Implants Help Improve My Shoulder Asymmetry?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in deltoid implants do to atrophy caused by spinal stenosis. I have been a body builder for most of my life and wish to address the shoulder asymmetry. Thank you.

A:Thank you for sending your pictures in which the atrophy of the deltoid muscles is very apparent and disproportionate to the rest of the well developed body musculature. There are two submuscular approaches to implant augmentation  of the deltoids, anatomic and non-anatomic implant placements. The anatomic approach is to place implants that paralllel the natural orientation of the three muscle bellies of the deltoid. (two or three implants placed longitudinally through combined posterior and axillary incisions. (see attached diagram) While this is anatomically correct it is more technically challenging to perform and involves multiple implants…with a loss of muscle mass and a tighter fascial sleeve due to the atrophy. The non-anatomic approach places a single implant perpendicular to the muscle bellies in a front to back direction. (see attached diagram) Each approach has their distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon