Joan C's Story

Comments: I was happily standing beside an apple tree one day in early summer 2015 and as I turned I collapsed in a heap on the ground. Aged 82, and with a gammy knee, this was not a complete surprise except that I couldn't get up. I had unconsciously put down my hand to ease the fall and my entire weight had transmitted to my shoulder.

I hit my head hard but when I tried to get up I couldn't because I was totally unable to use my arm. I phoned my husband and he rescued me and took me to outpatients. After an X-ray I was informed there was no fracture and suggested some physiotherapy. I was extremely conscientious with the exercises I was given but there were some I was totally unable to do. This led to no improvement at all in several important movements.

I went to my doctor and my physio without getting much sympathy. Phrases like .."try some paracetamol", ......"we all have damaged shoulders when we get older''...."rest it for a week" or, ..."try some physio" were all trotted out. But it was VERY PAINFUL, AND IT EITHER STOPPED ME DOING THE THINGS I NEEDED TO DO AND WAS DETERMINED TO DO.

Luckily some time later a friend told me about the Reading Shoulder Unit.
In February we were with friends (both doctors) each of whom had had a rotator cuff injury; the wife had lengthy physio while he, with a worse injury and had an operation at the Reading Shoulder Unit with a remarkably quick recovery. His advice was to go there for treatment and we made arrangements immediately.
In February I travelled over 100 miles to met Professor Levy. And how glad I am I did. Before my fall, we were still skiing and playing golf and just chatting with him I felt a wave of belief reaching me that somehow or other he was going to find a solution.

What a difference I experienced there.
His first comment was that the insertion of the tendon had separated from the humerus bone (no wonder the physio couldn't do the job!). Secondly, due to the time lapse the muscle had atrophied, wasted away and was very weak. There was now a hole greater than 4cm in the tendon. Professor Levy told me that keyhole surgery could repair it. Even better I was assured that I was not too old to have it fixed!!
Despite being 82 and a tricky prognosis, he agreed to take me as a patient and he operated on the 2nd of March.
He found that that the tear was massive with an undefined shape - even worse than he expected. Four hours later the job was done. Though the operation was tricky it was successful.

Thanks to his clear protocol for recovery I started with complete rest with my arm immobilised in a sling; then I could start gentle physiotherapy. Fortunately this could be done locally as the progression was clearly defined. By April Prof. Levy strongly advised me to make use of our heated pool for exercise. Then The Miracle started. I now have complete recovery of my all my shoulder movements. It is an absolute joy. I am playing golf but we have decided sadly to give up skiing- just can't afford to take the risk and at 82 its good decision!! Croquet is a good alternative.

By summer the pain had gone, and I was swimming in the pool to strengthen it. Moreover, I could swing a golf club again by September. My life had returned to normal.

Almost exactly one year later, after a bad start, I am now able to do everything thanks to the marvellous treatment from the RSU and Professor Levy. THANK YOU for your belief in me, your unique skill, your fun and your kindness. May many more people realise soon that physio is not always the best treatment for rotator cuff injuries and can often cause unnecessary damage.

I was so glad to have had the operation.

Thank you,
Joan C