January 8, 2009

I began experiencing pain in my upper arm in the spring.  After a few months, the pain grew significantly worse.  By August, I was in a lot of pain and went to an orthopedic surgeon.  After X-rays, I was told that I had a small tear in my rotator cuff and I was given a shot of cortisone.  When the pain continued, I was sent for an MRI which confirmed a tear in my rotator cuff and the doctor suggested surgery.  I was told that, after the surgery, my arm would be in a sling for 6 – 8 weeks and after that I would need to go for an extended period of physical therapy on my shoulder.

After the surgery was scheduled, but a few days before the surgery was to take place, someone recommended that I see Dimitry Polyakov.  Dimitry agreed to see me for an evaluation right away, before the surgery.  He put my shoulder through a number of movements and concluded that, although painful, I had full range of motion.  Dimitry told me that in order for the doctor to get to the rotator cuff, the doctor would have to cut through good muscle.  Dimitry was concerned that, as a result of cutting through good muscle, I could end up with less than full range of motion after the surgery.  Following the surgery I was going to need extensive physical therapy anyway, so Dimitry recommended putting off the surgery and trying physical therapy first.  The worst that could happen was that, if the physical therapy did not work, I would get the surgery.

Dimitry provided me with a clear estimate of how much therapy he thought I would need and told me what it would cost.  Dimitry’s services were not covered by my insurance, but I decided that I would try the physical therapy first to see if I could avoid the surgery.  Dimitry’s estimate of how much therapy would be required and what it would cost was right on the money.  And, even though every penny of it came out of my pocket (it wasn’t cheap), it was well worth it.

Dimitry worked one on one with me several days a week, loosening up scar tissue, stretching the shoulder muscles, and strengthening the rotator cuff.  He gave me exercises to do at home and work.  When my shoulder therapy was completed, he gave me a program to follow at home to continue strengthening my shoulder.

I highly recommend Dimitry.  He is very professional, knows what he is doing, and did a great job on my shoulder.  I have been done with my physical therapy for about 2-1/2 months now and, although once in a while I experience a little pain in my shoulder, it is nothing compared to what it once was.  In fact, my rotator cuff is in such good shape now, I wouldn’t even consider surgery at this point.  I am extremely satisfied with the results.

DC