My story begins with a massive tear of my rotator cuff. Fortunately for me, I was sent to Florida Orthopaedic Institute by the VAMC Bay Pines. Upon my first meeting with Dr. Christopher Baker, he explained that not only could he repair the rotator cuff, something that the VA facility was unable to do, but that he was working on a new procedure that would include a patch. Arthroscopic surgery was performed, the rotator cuff was repaired and the patch applied. The hardest part of the recovery was not being able to use the shoulder for 8 weeks while the repaired area healed and the patch had a chance to adhere.

Once I was approved by Dr. Baker to begin Physical Therapy, I chose to attend the Florida Orthopaedic Institute Rehabilitation Center in Palm Harbor. Under the direction of Mike Fittin, PT and his staff including Meagan Faulk, MS, ATC and Greg Hartney, PTA, I was able to begin an 8-week program that allowed me to regain complete range of motion and begin to increase my strength training on a gradual basis. Each rehab session would consist of stretching of the shoulder and arm muscles, the exercises were designed to strengthen the surgically repaired area. The individual attention given by Mike, Meagan and Greg was far more than I expected and contributed to the excellent results I accomplished. I cannot thank the entire staff at FOI Rehab Center Palm Harbor enough for the personal attention to detail I received.