9
he says. He also knew what his
next step would be: receiving
presurgery education.
“Research shows that surgery pa-
tients who are better prepared have
better outcomes and fewer com-
plications,” says Paul Schwartz,
Senior Staff Physical Therapist and
Orthopaedic Services Coordinator
in the Therapy Services depart-
ment. Schwartz developed the
patient education program that’s
one hallmark of the hospital’s
excellent orthopaedic care. As part
of it, every patient has a presurgery
appointment that includes:
Ameeting with a surgical
nurse.
The nurse spends time
getting to know the patient and
taking a health history. One goal
is to be sure the medical chart is
complete. Another is to discuss
the patient’s past health suc-
cesses and answer questions.
Ameeting with a physical
therapist.
The physical thera-
pist offers information about
anatomy to help the patient
understand what’s happening
in his or her body. The physi-
cal therapist also describes the
specific surgery and teaches
some of the simpler exercises
that may be part of post-surgery
rehabilitation.
Also covered in patient educa-
tion are medications, nutritional
needs, nursing care and discharge
planning. Each patient receives a
personalized guidebook and leaves
knowing what to expect before,
during and after surgery.
According to Schwartz: “We want
patients to go home feeling at ease
about what to expect. We tell folks,
‘We want you to be comforted by
knowledge.’”
The ‘oh, golly’ tear
Thanks to the patient education,
Morris felt prepared to go into
surgery. But the surgical team had
a bit of a surprise in the operating
room. Dr. Guthrie, who performed
the surgery, discovered that
Eagleman had a complete tear in
his rotator cuff along with other
internal shoulder injuries.
Schwartz was on hand to observe
the surgery. When he saw the rota-
tor cuff tear, he said, “Oh, golly!”
The surgical team agreed it was
an “oh, golly” tear: a 1½-inch hole
through the tissue. In the two-hour
minimally invasive procedure,
Dr. Guthrie (whose colleagues
have called him the best technical
surgeon they’ve worked with) used
eight anchors to repair Morris’
shoulder.
Protecting the injury
Because he watched Eagleman’s
surgery, Schwartz was well pre-
pared for the post-surgery consul-
tation every patient receives.
“Knowing the location of the tears
helped me explain to Morris why
he had the pain he had, and later
influenced my physical therapy,”
says Schwartz. Morris went home
the same day, wearing the sling
that would protect his shoulder for
six weeks.
In order to protect the injury,
rehabilitation started slowly.
Eventually Eagleman was getting
outpatient physical therapy every
week to regain strength and range
of motion.
“The physical therapist is in
constant contact with your sur-
geon, and they alter your exercises
based on how you’re doing,” says
Morris. “I was able to do a little bit
more each week. It took time, but
at four or five months I was close to
normal. Today, I’m lifting weights,
riding my bicycle 80 miles at a
time, golfing—everything I enjoy.
And I have full range of motion.”
No reason to livewithpain
To anyone with joint pain, Mor-
ris and Schwartz offer the same
advice—see a specialist in ortho-
paedics. With physical therapy,
time and patience, many patients
can get back to doing the things
they enjoy, free from pain.
“At Mercy Medical Center Mt.
Shasta, every patient gets individu-
alized, well-thought-out care—
from tailored patient education to
excellent care in the hospital, to
rehab and physical therapy that’s
integrated into the care model,”
says Morris (who admits he may
be slightly prejudiced). “It’s a great
experience for our patients.”
Are you living with joint or shoulder pain?
Call
888.628.1948
anytime to learn about
how the award-winning orthopaedic care at the
Dignity Health North State Hospitals can help
you live a pain-free life.
Dignity Health
