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Shoulder Dr Recommendation

Original Post
Dan A · · Jackson, WY · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 0

Looks like I needs some work done on my shoulder according to Dr here in WY. I'm looking for a second opinion, can anyone recommend someone?

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Dr. Karen Heiden at Heiden Orthopedics (yes, she is Eric Heiden's wife)...

https://heidenortho.com/

...or TOSH, but I don't know a name there, just their reputation:
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/the-orthopedic-specialty-hospital/

Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Heiden replaced my wife's knees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Heiden

Peter Lenz · · Salt Lake City · Joined May 2008 · Points: 670

Robert Tashjien at UUMC
Michael Metcalf in IHC

You have many other good choices, as well.

Peter Lenz, MD

Punter S Thompson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 1

Dr. Robert Tashjian at University of Utah comes highly recommended from several climbers who needed shoulder work

JerryN Nothstine · · Bailey, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 1

I have had both shoulders replaced.  The second one just a few weeks ago.  Dr. Hatzidakis in Denver is one of the best.  He actually travels internationally to do presentations on shoulder work.  Pretty awesome.  http://western-ortho.com

Sean Dillon · · Las Vegas · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 10

After your surgery Grassroots Physical Therapy in slc can help you get your shoulder back in climbing shape. All the physical therapists are climbers, skiers, etc and are very conscious of what a climbers shoulder needs to be capable of. This was very helpful as I've had PT's before who had no clue about climbing.

Peter Lenz · · Salt Lake City · Joined May 2008 · Points: 670

I am curious to know if those with shoulder replacement surgery have been able to return to climbing, and what their surgeons thought about it.
 I fear that I, too, may be on that path.

Dan A · · Jackson, WY · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 0

Thanks for the replies! I now have a couple of appointments in SLC. I'm also curious if anyone has a recommendation for someone in Idaho Falls or Pocatello. Specifically, I'm looking for '2nd opinions' from doctors that may not have an 'old school' approach, more akin to what I might find from a research institution like U of U. The problem with U of U and  IHC... they are really backed up!

Jackii Brandt-Mudge · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 10

Jarred Lee in Cody-I am in Salt Lake and ended up getting proximal biceps tenodesis in Sept in woodland -Dr Lee is a world class ortho/sports medicine surgeon -I am very pleased with surgery , recovery and outcome

RKM · · Alpine, Utah and Almo, ID · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 2,293

I’ll second and third Peter Lenz’s recommendation for Mike Metcalf.  Worked at TOSH in SLC but also had/has an office in Park City.  He did a complete shoulder replacement several years ago after I tried everything else with him.  He even injected my shoulder (way off label and cash payment only) with SynVisc that is used only for knees.  It didn’t work and I finally did the replacement thing.  

I think it worked really good and I returned to climbing within 5 months.  Have had no real problems with it since.  Probably need my other shoulder done now - but might just give up overhanging and/or strenuous routes requiring hard pulling.

Metcalf totally understood climbing - not only the mechanics, but the mental aspects of continuing with climbing.
Also, I highly recommend Grass Roots PT in SLC.  Esther Smith is a phenomenal climber and knows a ton about climbers shoulder problems.

Peter Lenz · · Salt Lake City · Joined May 2008 · Points: 670

RKM-
Are you still climbing after a shoulder replacement? Any thoughts on this? What did your surgeon have to say?

RKM · · Alpine, Utah and Almo, ID · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 2,293
Peter Lenz wrote: RKM-
Are you still climbing after a shoulder replacement? Any thoughts on this? What did your surgeon have to say?

Yes, had the surgery April of 2013 (I think).  I climb regularly and reasonably well for a 66 year old.  After a few follow up’s with Metcalf, he said; “Yeah, you’re going to have a really good shoulder for climbing”.

JerryN Nothstine · · Bailey, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 1
Peter Lenz wrote: RKM-
Are you still climbing after a shoulder replacement? Any thoughts on this? What did your surgeon have to say?

I had my right shoulder replaced when I was in my mid 40's.  My surgeon let me climb three months after surgery and in just a couple of weeks I was climbing 5.11 again.  Been there for years.  Now, I am in my mid 50's and had my left shoulder done.  Different surgeon this time.  This surgeon has a pretty standard recovery schedule and I can't even think of climbing until six months after surgery.  Based on my previous experience, I anticipate that when I can get back to climbing, I will do better than I have for the last couple of years.  My surgeon is confident of the same.


Thing to note.  There are multiple options for a replacement:
1. Replace glenoid (socket) and head of humorous (ball): Don't do it if you want to climb again.  The technology today uses plastic for the socket and it will wear out quickly.  If you can hold out for a couple/few years, there is some research that will use carbon fiber for the glenoid.  That will be the best.  It was used on some patients a few years ago and won't be available until the research with them is complete.
2. Replace the ball: This is what I had done on both shoulders.  The first shoulder a few years ago got a smaller diameter chunk of titanium than the one I just had done.  The one I just had done was in way worse condition than my other one was.
3.Replace the ball and add a biologic tissue in the glenoid:  This is what my surgeon wanted to do this time around but the insurance wouldn't pay for it.  The biologic provides a better "slippery" surface for the glenoid.  The biologic tissue is skin from the back of a cadaver.  My surgeon has had a lot of success with that and has never had an insurance company deny it until mine (Cigna) denied it.
Peter Lenz · · Salt Lake City · Joined May 2008 · Points: 670

Ohhhhh.... RKM!!!
Yes, I would say you are climbing at least “reasonably well.”
  For those who don’t know him, RKM was and still is a true hard man of the Wasatch, and the City of Rocks. I had the honor of climbing with him this summer.
Pete

  

drewford · · Wasatch Back, UT · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 426

RKM - the OG "Dark Horse" ;)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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