Left Shoulder Replacement Helps Active 59-Year-Old Start Retirement … Pain-Free

Indiana Hand to Shoulder Eric after left shoulder replacement surgery standing in field.

With retirement on the horizon, Eric S. knew it was time to do something about his chronic shoulder pain problem. The devoted family man, hardworking mechanical engineer, and hunting/fishing enthusiast knew he didn’t want to start the promising next chapter with limitations.

Knowing his wife had found meaningful pain relief with help from Dr. Greg A. Merrell, an upper extremity specialist at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, Eric didn’t have to think twice. He knew exactly where to go and who to see for left shoulder replacement so that he could enter his retirement without debilitating pain.

This is his story.

Eric S.’s Patient Story

Hometown: Fishers, IN (recently moved to a farm in the Ozarks)

Age: 59

A Most Trusted Referral for Relief

My wife used to be a dental hygienist. She spent her whole career using her hands and wrists. Those three decades of cleaning teeth took a real toll. Toward the end, she was in so much pain doing just day-to-day stuff because she’d literally worn her wrists out.

She went to see Dr. Merrell for care based on a referral, and he put together a personalized plan, including surgery, so she could regain use of her wrists and stop hurting. She had great results. She couldn’t say enough good things about IHTSC.

My wife is able to braid our young granddaughters’ hair again. You can’t put a price on that sort of thing.

Hard-to-Ignore, Worsening Shoulder Pain

I had been trying cortisone shots to keep my shoulder pain manageable, but the shots weren’t working like they used to. I wasn’t sleeping. I’m a side sleeper, so when I’d roll on my bad side, the left-side shoulder pain I felt was unbearable. In the gym, I couldn’t even lift the lighter weights that I used to use just to warm up.

But it didn’t stop there. It also affected every aspect of my life as an outdoors person. I had to put all of my old reels away and get new ones so I could keep trout fishing with my bad left shoulder.

For turkey hunting, I needed to buy lighter, smaller-caliber guns. I went from 12-gauge rifles to lighter, single-shot 10-gauge rifles, but even those, I had a hard time holding up without jerky movements. I also found myself struggling to climb tree stands.

It started to get really bad just before COVID, but since gyms weren’t open during the lockdowns, I wasn’t putting as much pressure on my arm because I just took up running to stay fit.

I believe one of the best investments you can make is in your health. After things opened up and some time went by, it was clear I was in bad shape. So, as I started to think about retirement, I listened when my wife set me straight and said, “You can’t do this anymore.”

She was right about that, and she was right about who could help me: Dr. Merrell.

Signs It Was Time for Left Shoulder Replacement

Doing surgery is the last thing just about anyone wants to go through. I’m no different in that regard. So, when I went to see Dr. Merrell and he mentioned a promising study involving a new type of injection that he thought might help me find pain relief in my left shoulder without surgery, I decided it was worth trying.

But he didn’t just put me into the study with the injections and then forget about me. He paid attention to my results. Sure, around 85% of the study participants experienced cartilage regrowth and pain relief, but I wasn’t getting those results.

Even though I hadn’t been so lucky, I had committed. I had every intention to stick with the study, but I appreciated that Dr. Merrell wasn’t going to let me keep living with pain and keep getting a treatment that wasn’t working. He said, “Here’s what’s going on. Here’s what you’ve got. You can live with this shoulder pain, or I can help you by doing something about it.”

Dr. Merrell laid it all out. He made it clear that left shoulder replacement would restore my arm function and only require me to make a few lifestyle changes in exchange. I was in.

My Left Shoulder Replacement Surgery Timeline

My wife took me on the day of my surgery on January 22. Everyone at IHTSC was fantastic. They told me what to expect and told me I’d get knocked out and wouldn’t even realize what was happening.

I think I’m Superman, so I didn’t believe it and told them that I have a pretty high tolerance for things that maybe I shouldn’t have. They got a chuckle at that. When the anesthesiologist came in, he asked me if I knew who he was, and I said, “Yeah, you’re my bartender,” which got another laugh. They told me they were going to have me start counting down, and I didn’t even start. The next time I remember was waking up.

I got help getting dressed, then they wheeled me out to the car, and my wife drove me home. I didn’t feel any pain until I was going to bed later that night, but I used the prescription they provided, and it knocked me out. That was the only time I used that one, though, and switched to ibuprofen for the pain after that, taking it every eight hours or so for the next two or three days.

It was amazing how quickly I just started really living again. I was able to go back to work the Monday after my surgery, starting slowly by typing on my computer with one hand. At that point, I was down to taking ibuprofen maybe every 10 hours or so instead of 8 because the pain wasn’t that bad. I knew I could deal with it as long as I could, and it helped a lot to have my wife encouraging me to see how long I could go. She would say things like, “I bet you can’t go 11 hours.” She kept me going and helped me heal ahead of schedule.

I also started to go back to the gym, sticking with the elliptical machine and just doing that one-handed. With my wife, I walked 30 minutes every day, and then within a month and a half, we were up to seven miles.

I will tell you that I’m a proud man, so when I had to take a shower or use the bathroom, I was able to do those things all by myself. Except for putting on my winter coat, I figured out how to make things work and do them by myself.

Shoulder Healing Help With Post-op Therapy

I did my occupational therapy at IHTSC’s Fishers office. It went really well. My therapist was excellent. She would chart my improvement every time I was there, so I could see my progress and have a good sense of how I was doing.

I remember before each appointment seeing others in the waiting room rubbing their hands and arms. I could tell they probably hadn’t been keeping up with their exercises at home and were still having pain. It reinforced to me just how important it was to keep doing what my therapist told me to do.

I knew I was responsible for how fast I healed. I think that’s important for everyone to know. You play a part in how you heal. You have to do the work.

Left Shoulder Strength and Mobility Regained

I had my left shoulder replacement procedure in January, then I retired in February. My favorite time each year is spring turkey hunting, so my goal was to be able to heal and hunt by April with my guns. And, it happened. I was released from therapy early, even though it was initially scheduled to go through May, because I was doing so well.

I was so happy when my therapist told me I was done. Dr. Merrell gave me the okay, too, with the caveat that I could go turkey hunting with a gun as long as it’s less than 25 pounds, since that’s the weight restriction for lifting I have with my new left shoulder.

But I get why. Dr. Merrell explained that it’s because I don’t have a ball and socket anymore. I don’t have a shoulder blade anymore. So if I do something to mess it up and break it, there’s nothing he or any other surgeon can do to help because there’s nothing there in my left shoulder for them to attach a replacement implant to.

And, guess what? My days of dreaming of being Arnold Swarzenegger or a professional football player are long gone anyway. I’ve made the appropriate changes. I’m just doing more reps now instead of lifting big weights, and the payoff’s been more toned arms instead of bulk.

Why Seeing an Expert for Shoulder Care Matters

My surgery and therapy at IHTSC were incredible experiences, and my only regret is that I wish I had scheduled my left shoulder replacement procedure much sooner. I’d recommend Dr. Merrell to anyone with shoulder problems or any kind of upper extremity injury. He’s very professional, warm, and caring—what a gift from God!

You’d never know how smart he is because he’s so humble.

I feel so grateful that someone as great as Dr. Merrell helped me. And, not only did he help me, but he also helped my wife. Every single day, we’re both reaping the benefits of his expert care. He’s made it so we are living our best lives during retirement. Thank you, Dr. Merrell.

Find Shoulder Pain Relief at IHTSC

Not everyone needs arthroplasty for shoulder pain, but when dealing with unrelenting pain—like the kind that kept Eric S. from moving like he used to—specialized shoulder care can make all the difference. At Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, our experts are committed to providing comprehensive upper extremity care to help you regain function that improves the quality of your life.

How We Help

Since 1972, patients across Indiana and throughout the U.S. have trusted IHTSC’s top-rated shoulder surgeons. Our experienced specialists treat every shoulder injury and disorder, even the most complex conditions like severe arthritis requiring joint replacement.

I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Merrell—and not only him, but his whole staff. You know he’s pretty damn good at what he does because of how much you can tell his staff trusts him and looks up to him.

Eric S., shoulder replacement patient

See a Specialist at IHTSC

Get the care you need from IHTSC’s team of world-renowned shoulder pain doctors, advanced practice providers, and prominent occupational therapists.

Request an appointment today and take the first step toward a life free of shoulder pain. If you prefer to schedule by phone, call us at (317) 751-5904.

You Might Also Like:

Reviewed by: Dr. Greg Merrell

Patient Stories Shoulder

Disclaimer: The materials on this website have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice. You should not act or rely upon any medical information on this website without a physician’s advice. The information contained within this website is not intended to serve as a substitution for a thorough examination from a qualified healthcare provider. The display of this information is not intended to create a health care provider-patient relationship between the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center and you.