I am not a doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, chiropractor or physical therapy assistant and I don’t pretend to be. I am a middle-aged man who has been physically active all of my life. That being the case, I have had my share of injuries.

Skiing Accident Results in Shoulder Surgery

About twelve years ago, while snow-skiing in Snowshoe, West Virginia, I collided with a snow-boarder while speeding down the mountain. The result? I suffered the complete tearing of the ligaments that attach my upper arm to my shoulder.

At the time, I had no idea how severe the injury was, because it was early morning and a doctor had not yet arrived to the medical facility that was close to the mountain. We were scheduled to leave later that day, so we just left early. Needless to say, we did not have to travel far before the pain set in.

My pain remedy was to consume aspirin and be very still while my brother-in-law drove us home (an eleven hour drive). The next day, I traveled to the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.

MRI Results - Shoulder Surgery Needed

It did not take the surgeon long to diagnose my problem (one arm was hanging much lower than the other) and inform me that surgery was the only feasible option available to me. The doctor did have a MRI done to confirm his opinion. Pictures don’t lie. The following Monday, I underwent surgery at the Hughston Clinic hospital. It was my first experience with the Hughston Clinic but it would not be my last (I later had knee surgery there).

If I had to rate my experience with the Hughston Clinic, I would give it a score of 98% out of a possible 100%. Very professional, extremely caring and very good at what they do. This critique includes the surgeons, doctors, nurses, nurses assistants and the administration.

No Physical Therapy

What most people, especially those who have had some type of orthopedic surgery, find unusual, is that I never went through any physical therapy afterward. At least, it was not formal therapy with a physical therapist and appointments and everything.

Basically, I was just too busy. I had returned to college to pursue a degree in Animal Science with the intention of going to Vet school and just did not have the time to see a therapist. In fact, I believe that I was so naive as to not even consider the possibility.

The advantage that I did have was that I have always been an extremely physically-active person. So, as soon as the pain would allow me to, I began to move and exercise my shoulder. Was this wise? No! And I do not recommend it to anyone. Please see your doctor and physical therapist and do the exercises as they are prescribed. I was very lucky. I could have damaged my shoulder and have had to go through the whole process again.

O.K. What’s the point of all this? My friend and business partner, Scott Kay, went through a similar situation recently (motorcycle wreck resulting in shoulder surgery). Scott went to therapy as prescribed and during his rehabilitation, invented a revolutionary shoulder therapy device. The Rotater.

The Rotater allows a person to supplement their physical therapy visits by stretching their shoulder both internally and externally in a correct, safe and easy manner. Go to www.therotater.com to check it out.

It is our desire to use this blog/website as a means of providing the information you need to help you take care of your most versatile and least stable of all joints - your shoulder.

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