Eighty-six year old woman is able to swim and play golf again without pain thanks to this new type of shoulder replacement surgery performed by University of Maryland Medical Center shoulder and elbow specialist Dr. Anand Murthi
What symptoms were you experiencing before the surgery and when did they start?
My symptoms started in 2003. I found that I couldn't raise my arm above my shoulder and it hurt really badly, and I'm not used to that. I've had some other shoulder surgeries in the past and I thought, 'There has to be a better way.'
What limitations did your shoulder pain cause?
I like to wash my clothes and hang them out and I couldn't hang up my clothes anymore because of the shoulder pain. I also had been a swimmer all my life. The backstroke is my favorite stroke and I couldn't raise my arm to do that. I loved golf and I couldn't do that. So those were three very important things, plus my shoulder really hurt.
What medical condition gave you that limited range of motion?
I'm not sure exactly what was wrong with my shoulder. Something was torn completely loose. I've had arthritis for 30 years and I did injure it so it may be that it just wore out. I also had a torn all of my rotator cuff tendonsHow did you find out about Dr. Anand Murthi?
My general practitioner, who has been my doctor for almost 30 years, found Dr. Murthi. When I hurt so badly, my doctor sent me to have an MRI on my shoulder. This was when they discovered that something was completely destroyed.
What my doctor said to me was, 'There has to be a better way.' And so he found a better way. So then the next step was to go visit Dr. Murthi.
I saw Dr. Murthi in August 2004, and I had the reverse shoulder replacement surgery on October 4, 2004. He explained that they had been doing this operation for 20 years in Europe and now he'd be able to do it.
How confident were you in Dr. Murthi's ability to perform the surgery?
I had all the confidence in the world in Dr. Murthi, because of his manner. He was so confident. He explained the surgery to me so carefully. I just felt like it was the thing to do. Dr. Murthi is a very pleasant person, easy to talk to. He's a nice young man.
I also have great faith in Kernan Hospital [an orthopaedic and rehabilitation hospital that is part of the University of Maryland Medical System]. I think they're wonderful; they've been there for years. It's a very good place.
What was the operation and recovery like?
I went to the hospital and had my surgery. When I came out of surgery, I didn't feel any pain and I had wonderful help over there. They call it inpatient surgery because I was there for two days and one night.
When I was in the hospital, physical therapists would come in and help me to do some things. That was just for two days and then I had a prescription from Dr. Murthi to go for physical therapy.
Then I came home. I had a good, quick recovery. I went to physical therapy for two months, and then I did deep water exercise (class) which helped me a lot.I want to say how nice the people are at Kernan Hospital. It was wonderful, they were so nice.
How has your life changed since the surgery?
It's made all the difference in the world; all of the pain is gone. The procedure is wonderful. It was a success. I can move my shoulder now.
Life is absolutely wonderful now because I can hang up my clothes on the clothesline.
And also, I swim, do deepwater exercises and teach the deep water exercise class at a country club. So really in less than a year's time I've almost gotten back to normal.
Last year when I was teaching my arm was in that position, shoulder height. Everybody was so amazed to see what I can do now. There's no more pain. I have a lot more freedom. This operation has really given me my life back.
What would tell someone who is considering the surgery but is apprehensive?
If someone would ask me, I would say, I think it's worth it. If a doctor says he can do it, there's nothing to be afraid of. But make sure the surgeon is highly qualified and has experience and a good track record performing this operation.
Interview by By Michelle W. Murray
University of Maryland Medical System Web Site Writer