New Shoulders Give New Lease on Life
At 76 years old, Morris resident Lois S. was understandably frustrated when persistent shoulder pain started affecting her everyday life. Unable to do basic tasks such as reaching the top shelf of the cupboard or putting on earrings, Lois decided it was time to take back control of her life by getting help for her shoulder pain.
With an extensive history of orthopedic surgeries — including two hip replacements and back surgery — Lois knew the pain she was experiencing in both shoulders was something she could no longer live with. Even though she considers herself a “seasoned professional at getting orthopedic surgeries,” she admits she was nervous at the prospect of a shoulder replacement – let alone two.
“The pain in combination with not being able to do simple things like putting on deodorant or lotion was the final straw for me to agree to surgery,” says Lois. “I was nervous I would never be able to regain the ability to do everyday tasks again.”
In 2021, Lois began looking for an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in shoulders. She was hoping one of the surgeons with Morris Hospital Orthopedic & Sports Medicine (formerly Rezin Orthopedics) would be able to help. It was at the recommendation of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Rezin, who replaced Lois’s left hip, that she meet with Dr. Robert Williams, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who has sub-specialization in total shoulder replacements and elbow surgery.
From her first appointment with Dr. Williams, Lois says she knew he was the one. She was most impressed with Dr. William’s bedside manner and the way he explained things.
“Dr. Williams is a fantastic surgeon. From the first time I met with him, he made me feel comfortable and really explained how the shoulder works. That matters when you are choosing a surgeon.”
During Lois’s first surgery in 2021, Dr. Williams performed a reverse total shoulder replacement on her left side. She says the pain relief she felt from the moment she woke up from surgery was “life changing” and that after so many years with crippling pain she was ecstatic to be able to think about something besides the pain. That inspired Lois to focus all her energy into physical therapy. It wasn’t long before she regained full range of motion in her left shoulder.
Little did Lois know that nearly one year later, she would be back meeting with Dr. Williams to talk about surgery for her other shoulder. While the pain she was now experiencing in her right shoulder was very similar to the pain she previously felt, this time, she was no longer willing to tolerate what she calls unnecessary pain. Lois says there was never any doubt in her mind that she would get the other shoulder replaced by Dr. Williams as well.
“I called Dr. Williams and asked him if he was ready for round two,” she says. “I knew without a doubt that I trusted him to operate on me again. He was as excellent the second time as he was the first.”
After two successful shoulder replacements and many physical therapy sessions, Lois is back to living her independent lifestyle. She says that Dr. Williams changed her life, calling him a “top-tier surgeon.”
Today, Lois encourages others who have shoulder pain to seek help. “Anyone who thinks they have no option but to learn to live with their shoulder pain is dead wrong,” she says. “There are amazing surgeons in our community like Dr. Williams who helped me go from horrible pain to nearly pain free.”
If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, elbow, neck, back, hip, knee, hand, wrist, foot, or ankle, the physicians with Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine can help!
