Fighting the War Against Aging Joints

Vietnam War veteran Norb Weller, 68, went from fighting for our freedom in the late ‘60s to barely being able to change a light bulb a few years ago because of a recurrent shoulder dislocation injury he sustained during his time overseas. When the pain began to keep him up at night, he decided to contact the VA and do something about it.

Once receiving a list of approved orthopaedic providers in the area from the VA, he took to the internet to find out more about each physician. After extensive research, Weller decided Bryan L. Reuss, M.D., a fellowship-trained knee and shoulder specialist at Orlando Orthopaedic Center, was the right man for the job.

“During his initial exam, we found through a series of X-rays and CT scans that Mr. Weller’s discomfort and instability stemmed from a procedure he had done back in 1970 when he returned from Vietnam,” says Dr. Reuss. “Honestly – and I said this to him – it was one of the worst injuries I’ve treated in my career.”

As it turns out, more than four decades prior to this exam, Weller underwent his first shoulder surgery. The then state-of-the-art procedure moved his coracoid process over and fastened it into his scapula with a titanium screw to create stability. Over time, the screw came loose and worked its way into the joint, causing Weller the immense pain and internal scarring he felt every time he moved his arm.

reuss_bryan-blue-bg-200-x-200“I couldn’t wash my hair or shave with my right arm and it was keeping me up at night,” recalls Weller. “My quality of life really diminished over the past five, six, seven years.”

Because the injury was so severe, the only solution to eliminate the problem was a total shoulder replacement by Dr. Reuss. After scheduling the surgery, Weller became one of the 53,000 people in the U.S. to have shoulder replacement surgery each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

In a total shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder (specifically the glenohumeral joint) are removed and replaced with prosthesis components.

A computer rendering of a total shoulder replacement.

A computer rendering of a total shoulder replacement.

Following surgery, Weller spent one night in the hospital as he recovered.

“I was pleasantly surprised at [spending just one night in the hospital], because I thought I’d be in there a lot longer than that,” says Weller.

Shortly after receiving his sling and returning home, Weller began his physical therapy routine for the following six weeks. He says during that time he had his good days and his not-so-good days, but overall the pain was minimal; and the results were worth every ounce of discomfort he felt following surgery.

“Now I can raise my right arm with no problem, and I can do things I couldn’t do before,” says Weller with a smile. “I’m really pleased I had the surgery. I can sleep, I can change a light bulb, I can climb a ladder – all without ever having to worry about feeling pain in my shoulder.”

Weller recalls seeing Dr. Reuss during a follow-up appointment and asking about skiing with his new shoulder. “Dr. Reuss told me, ‘I did this surgery to give you your life back. You can do whatever you want to do and whatever feel comfortable with,’” he says. “I was really impressed with that and overall I’m very glad I had it done.”