Day: October 31, 2023

Patient Testimonial – Meet Timm Aldrich: Embracing a Life in Motion

Early Closure

Patient Testimonial Video: https://youtu.be/wXpyv-1M844?si=f4xdeHFBUSvtwWcD

Two years after his first knee replacement surgery, Timm Aldrich began to feel pain in his other knee that would not subside. Recognizing this pain, he knew he may have to go the surgical route once again but was confident in that decision since he had been through the process once before.

Throughout his life, the 63-year-old has been active. He’s run several 10ks, enjoys a competitive game of pickleball, and heads to the gym several times a week to keep in shape. This active lifestyle allowed him to receive non-operative treatment options for a few more years until he was ready to move forward with surgery.

“Timm is active, and the exercise and activities likely helped delay the arthritis in both knees,” says Dr. Richard Ursone, Tim’s Orthopedic Surgeon. “He had complete cartilage loss and had tried several years of nonoperative care including multiple steroids, and viscosupplementation injections, modified activities, and bracing.”

But after months of soreness in his knee, he knew it would only continue to get worse and it was time to take action.

“It was uncomfortable during the day and towards the evening, it was throbbing,” says Timm Aldrich, TSAOG knee replacement patient.

In July of 2023, Dr. Ursone performed Timm’s surgery with help from the MAKO robotic arm assisted knee application, created by Stryker. Using CT-based three-dimensional modeling of bone anatomy, Dr. Ursone created a personalized surgical plan for Timm, identifying the impact size, orientation, and alignment, based on his unique anatomy. TSAOG is the first medical group in Texas to provide this breakthrough advancement in an outpatient surgery center.

“The application allows surgeons to perform a customized ‘perfectly fitted’ knee replacement for the best functional outcome,” says Dr. Ursone. “It also minimizes surgical exposure to decrease pain after surgery and allow for a more rapid return of function.”

Within a week after surgery, Tim was back at TSAOG, doing everything he could to strengthen his knee in physical therapy.

“I’m a busy body and it’s hard for me to sit still,” adds Aldrich. But too much activity right after surgery can lead to a buildup of fluid in the leg, as was Tim’s case. His advice?

“You’re going to have days right after the surgery when you feel really good and you want to do a lot of stuff,” says Aldrich. “I always do too much. My advice is don’t overdo it, it slows the process.

“Timm is expected to return to an active lifestyle including most sports and activities,” says Dr. Ursone. “He presented in excellent physical shape and strength which always helps in the recovery process.”

How Long Does it Take a Torn Rotator Cuff to Heal Without Surgery

Location of Rotator Cuff

At TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine our physicians will say that “We use surgery as a last resort.” for when other treatments and therapies fail to yield results. The rotator cuff is a complex of muscles and tendons that attach to bones in the shoulder girdle, this allows for the wide range of movement in our shoulders and arms. A rotator cuff tear is whenever a muscle or ligament in this area is partially or completely torn. This condition can be difficult to recover from for several factors. The shoulder is an area of the body with particularly poor circulation, and it is also one of the most used parts of our body. For these reasons rotator cuff recoveries can be more of a marathon than a sprint.

What Happens if A Rotator Cuff Injury is Left Untreated

Depending on the severity of the tear different outcomes are possible if a tear is left untreated. If the tear is minimal, and you allow time for rest and recovery there is a chance that it may heal on its own. Another thing to consider is your body’s healing factor. If you have diabetes, smoke, or consume alcohol, these things will affect your body’s ability to naturally heal. That said, if you neglect to let your body rest and recover, continual overuse may worsen the injury. If your rotator cuff tear is severe, being more than 90% of the tissue is torn, it is extremely unlikely that it will heal on its own without surgical intervention. Rotator cuff tears are serious conditions, if you suspect you may have one make an appointment with one of our shoulder specialists immediately.

How Long Does it Take for a Torn Rotator Cuff to Heal Without Surgery

The length of time a rotator cuff will take to heal without surgery can vary from person to person and is dependent upon a myriad of factors. Assuming the tear is minor, with proper rest and recovery it could take four to six weeks to be fully recovered from that tear. If the tear is worse than that, or if not given proper treatment those tears may never heal on their own. This is why even if the tear is minor, it is still important to seek the guidance of an orthopedic shoulder specialist. Attempting to restrict your movement on your own could potentially lead to other issues such as a frozen shoulder.

Surgery Alternatives for Torn Rotator Cuff

There is a plethora of nonsurgical alternatives to treat a torn rotator cuff. If you suspect you may have torn your rotator cuff, seek guidance from an orthopedic shoulder specialist immediately, so they can determine which treatment may be appropriate for you. The most common treatment is rest, avoid overusing that shoulder, avoid lifting heavy objects, lifting objects away from your body, and avoid lifting objects overhead. Another common treatment recommendation is physical therapy. Physical therapy is a fantastic way to strengthen the affected muscle in a safe and controlled environment, under the supervision of experts. Steroid injections are also another way to help treat a torn rotator cuff, these may help reduce inflammation and prevent the injury from being reaggravated.

When to Get Rotator Cuff Surgery

If after exhausting nonsurgical alternatives your pain is persistent and interrupts your daily activity, your shoulder specialist may recommend rotator cuff repair surgery. Sometimes the damage done to the muscle is too great for it to heal on its own, or with less aggressive treatments. Rotator cuff repair surgery has advanced greatly. TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine has a host of shoulder specialists, and sports medicine surgeons trained in performing these complex surgeries. If you feel that your life has been impacted by shoulder pain or immobility, contact us today.

Remember Your Options

If you are diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, do not worry, as mentioned earlier there is a wide array of non-surgical alternatives to keep in mind when it comes to your shoulder health. There is no need to allow this injury to dictate how you live your life. Contact TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine and ask to speak to one of our shoulder specialists. They are trained to assist you in navigating your shoulder injury in a way that best suits your needs. If you have pain and need assistance, contact TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine today.