My Comeback Story: Susan P.
About 40 years ago, I had a serious fall, which ended up fracturing the upper portion of my left humerus bone in 3 places. The decision was to let it heal naturally, as they were clean breaks. It healed nicely, but I never fully got the full use of my left shoulder back.
Over time, as the body over compensates for breaks by adding more calcium to the broken area, that calcium kept building up, so after 40 years, there was a substantial amount of additional bone and calcium that my normal shoulder joint could not handle, resulting in bone spurs and a irregularly shaped humerus bone.
I had the bone spurs removed in 2022, but the surgeon was not able to get to all of them, so the problem was ‘not as bad’, but still had limited use of my shoulder and pain. The surgeon in Hood River’s only suggestion was a regular shoulder replacement, but told me that I probably wouldn’t have any better range of motion. Hmmm
In September 2025, my husband was at a car meet and overheard a guy talking about his reverse shoulder replacement and that he could now reach above his head and do everything he was able to do previously…. this got his attention! So they chatted and he came home and told me about it… I had never heard of a reverse shoulder replacement (nor had the Hood River doctor mentioned it!).
So after an hour conversation with the guy from the car meet, I met with Dr. Wei in early October 2025. He looked at the X-rays and told me that I was definitely a candidate for the reverse shoulder replacement… as I was bone on bone, there was no more cartilage in my joint and I had ’too many’ bone spurs (the MRI technician called them barnacles! lol).
My surgery was scheduled for February, but when I arrived I had ‘over cleaned’ the area, so he took one look at my shoulder and made the hard decision to cancel this surgery and postponed it for 2 weeks, to allow the area to heal. Although I was HUGELY disappointed, I knew it was for the best as he ‘didn’t want to take any chances that it might get infected’ - NO INFECTION is a good thing!
So two weeks later I had the surgery. I must say that ‘the team’ that prepares you for surgery with Rebound know what they are doing! Between me and my coach reading the literature, watching videos, attending the class you are required to take, you are PREPARED for your recuperation! We followed all of the instructions and my recuperation went pretty easily and smoothly! Within a week or two, I was able to take a shower by myself (and dry myself too!)… and slowly but surely I have gained the movement I used to have (still after the fall, but now, without pain!) … and most importantly, I am still able to make my art quilts! I am now a little over 4 months out and honestly, since ‘nothing hurts anymore’ I’m forgetting to do my exercises (so I’m still not able to lift my hand above my head, but that is MY fault!)… but I’m no longer in any pain (THANK GOD and Dr. Wei!) I’m truly able to do the things I used to do… but without the pain, so I am THRILLED with the outcome of this procedure!
Dr. Wei and his team truly prepared me and my coach, for this procedure and I will be eternally thankful for the ability to ‘go back to my normal life again’…. Thank you SO MUCH!!!