| Donald A. Morrison, M.D.
Jack C. Childers, M.D.
Kenneth C. Gertsen, M.D.
P. Dickson Jones, M.D.
Frank J. Catanzariti, M.D.
Paul C. McAfee, M.D.
Bruce S. Wolock, M.D.
David F. Dalury, M.D.
Ira L. Fedder, M.D.
Stuart Winakur, M.D.
Brian D. Mulliken, M.D.
Vincent M. Osteria, M.D.
Jeffrey T. Brodie, M.D.
Anthony W. Colpini, M.D.
Michael J. Marion, M.D.
James G. Linz, CEO
Joyce O. Cahalan, Editor
Inside This Issue:
|
|
| Editor’s Note: Patients often send letters to keep us updated on their accomplishments following surgery or treatment at our practice. So often their stories are remarkable examples of extraordinary will and determination. The following letter is one such story that, with permission from the patient, we would like to share with you. |
 It’s now been six months since you performed arthroscopic surgery and the heating procedure to tighten the capsule of my left shoulder – and, as you predicted, this amount of time lapse was indeed required to reap all the benefits from the operation. I think my arm’s getting stronger and my range is improving all the time. I’ve already planned more rock climbing, rafting, biking and, of course, the Amazonian trek for next summer.
I think, more than anything else, the stroke in ‘81 that left me quadraplegic, scared me because I was afraid of how I’d deal with the fact that I could never be as active again as I once was. While I have regained some movement in all of my limbs, increasing problems with arthritis and contractures have prevented me from participating in many activities. Particularly, I experienced a lot of pain upon weight bearing in my left shoulder. This discomfort greatly limited not only my recreational activities, but also my physical therapy exercises – which are very important to me. While I could still take part in ‘passive thrills’, such as tandem skydiving and whitewater rafting (‘passive’ because you don’t have to actually do anything; you just go along for the ride!), I longed for that wonderful rush you get after a marathon or hard workout of being completely exhausted and, at the same time, feeling sublimely happy and accomplished.
I was able to feel that again in August. As you know, I’d planned a rock-climbing venture in Colorado and desperately hoped that the surgery you performed on my shoulder would allow me to do it. Well, as you can see from the picture I’m enclosing, my left shoulder performed like a champ! Look at that arm – total Hulk Hogan! I was able to pull up quite a bit and climbed a 200-foot cliff. As I sat on a ledge 200’ above the ground, completely drained and looking over the spectacular Colorado scenery, I had a wonderful nostalgic feeling of pre-stroke days.
The ‘new and improved’ arm has also helped significantly during my physical therapy sessions. I can maintain a quadraped position, use Lofstrand crutches, and do other weight-bearing exercises. This has rallied my morale considerably. Thanks for all your help, Dr. Wolock. Hope to see you in the Amazonian rainforest one day soon! Susan Yim |
 |
A Note From Dr. Wolock:
Susan’s story is quite inspirational. She sustained a stroke at approximately age 22 and was left quadriparetic. However, since then she has obtained a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in molecular biology. She communicates by pointing to written words or an alphabet on a tray in front of her. Susan was having pain in her shoulder, which is a common problem in wheel-chair bound people. The procedures I contemplated were either the traditional open procedure to tighten her loose shoulder or a newer, arthroscopic technique. The open technique has a long recovery time and would have left Susan debilitated for months. I, therefore, recommended a procedure where the shoulder capsule was overlapped using arthroscopic tacks, and “heat shrunk” with a temperature-controlled radio frequency thermal device. The technique is quite new but early results are very encouraging. Also, recovery time is quicker than with open surgery. As you can see from her letter, Susan’s results so far have been very good – but I would expect no less from this remarkable woman.
Bruce S. Wolock, M.D. |
|
