Patient Testimonial
Dr. Chudik,
I wanted to follow-up on our appointment with some brief notes about my shoulder and include an attached video. I started having issues with my shoulder in October 2001 after a dislocation playing rugby. I rehabbed the shoulder but experienced another dislocation in the Summer of 2002, where I then decided to have surgery with Midwest Orthopedics.
After surgery on the shoulder and the rehab process, I was cleared to resume playing. I resumed playing and then in the Spring of 2003 I dislocated the shoulder for a third time, where after being reset and had time off, I elected to go through a second surgery in December 2003 since the shoulder was very unstable. After the second surgery, I stayed away from full-contact sports, but continued to play sports involving partial contact such as flag football and basketball, as well as focus more on endurance training with running several marathons, etc. The shoulder still felt unstable even after the second surgery, but I was having no issues. I then dislocated the shoulder again while playing football and extending for a pass while someone made contact with my arm. At this point I just continued to rehab and elected to pass on a third surgery.
Working out was difficult and discouraging, as I was forced into using machines to assist in stabilizing the weights, plus would feel the shoulder slip frequently, such as while swimming the shoulder would slip out and back. The shoulder dislocated on approximately three more occasions, the final time being just jumping to grab a tree branch and dislocating when I gripped the branch. This was when I consulted with Dr. Collins from Hinsdale Orthopaedics through a referral from a sponsorship through the Chicago Riot Rugby team. After a consultation, I was referred to you where I elected to have a third surgery given the issues you identified. Since the surgery in November 2009 I haven't had any issues to date. I will say the rehab process was significantly more difficult, and the recovery was more lengthy, with the end result being some loss of mobility. After the surgery it was approximately 5-6 months before I could complete my first pushup, but then advanced quickly. In July 2010 I felt confident in the shoulder enough and started with a Crossfit gym, which includes such training as Olympics lifts, gymnastic movements, rowing, and kettlebell. An example of the issues with my shoulder would have been pull-ups. Before I started having issues with my shoulder, I could easily complete pullups, but after 10 years of issues and surgeries, I wasn't able to string together any pull-ups. Attached is a video from last Thursday's training, which was 5 rounds of max reps bodyweight bench press and then pull-ups. While I lost grip a couple times and had to readjust while not completely letting go of the bar, I finished 20 on the first set. I've also increased my weight on all other lifts, where training will include, bench, shoulder press, power clean and jerk, snatch, deadlift, squats, etc. Also, given my confidence in my shoulder, I am scheduled to compete in a 1/2 Ironman on Sunday, where during my swim training I haven't had any issues, where previously I was constantly feel the shoulder slipping.
Thank you Dr. Chudik!
