Keith doing yard work after two shoulder surgeries.

At age 64, and spending 40 years working in physical labor, I had suffered multiple work related injuries.  My first shoulder injury occurred while working in the Oregon Lumber Industry where I injured my right shoulder and had surgery for a torn rotator cuff.

Five years later, while working in Colorado Springs, I suffered a rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder and saw a local orthopedic physician. Unfortunately, the surgical repair I received did not heal properly and left me with very limited range of motion.

Determined to get my shoulder repaired, I visited three different orthopedic surgeons to see if anything could be done to get full range of motion back in my left shoulder. I left each appointment disappointed after being told nothing could be done. Unwilling to accept this, I researched additional options to find a physician that could help me to repair my shoulder.

Through my research, I found The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.  I made an appointment and the surgeon gave me, not only hope, but a surgical option to repair my shoulder. After surgery and physical therapy, I had my shoulder back!

In the Summer of 2017, I re-injured the rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I feared that the second tear at my age would reduce or eliminate the possibility of repair.

After my previous experience at The Steadman Clinic I knew I would go there again. This time I was scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Provencher. Before my appointment I researched his background and found that his credentials were quite impressive. During my first appointment I admired his humble bedside manner and felt like he treated me as he would a professional athlete.

After evaluating my shoulder, Dr. Provencher recommended surgery and performed a revision rotator cuff repair. The arthroscopic surgery repaired the supraspinatus tendon as well as the infraspinatus tendon. In addition, he injected platelet rich plasma to help promote healing. After my surgery I was diligent in completing the prescribed physical therapy, knowing that I had to do my part to heal my injury.

After 6 months, I had full range of motion and was blown away at how good my shoulder felt and how quickly my strength was returning. I was so impressed with the outcome of my surgery that I wanted to share my story and let others know of the possibilities of returning to an active lifestyle after an injury.

The physicians and their teams at The Steadman Clinic are professionals and really take the time to listen to and understand each patient to come up with the best treatment plan to get them back to doing what they love. My shoulders are now pain free, I have full range of motion and I am able to do everything I could hope to do. I am so thankful I did my research and found Dr. Provencher and The Steadman Clinic.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of these procedures, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.  Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine the appropriate treatment for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor are not necessarily those of Matthew Provencher, MD and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor.