For whatever its worth, I have had 1 surgery on my shoulder and 2 on my wrist in the past 5 years and I have made it back to the court, lots of off-court exercise required to get there and even more now to maintain. Shoulder one was for bone spurs, first wrist was for calcification of fascia, second one was for bone spurs. Everything still hurts but at least I can play. My wrist is permanently dysfunctional which is why I am such a lousy volleyer, no matter how strong my muscles are the bone and tendon structure is wrecked. I'll keep working out and playing until they break down again! Oh, and lots of Aleve, and ice bags, and hot tubs, and teeth gritting, and pain!!!

Sybil Decker - Cancer Survivor

My major medical procedure was removal of 19 lymph nodes from under my left armpit in 2003. I'm a 5 yr+ survivor of breast cancer. How important is tennis to me? Extremely... as it is my favorite exercise. I always say I have to do yoga weekly, but tennis is my fun time.

Carol Samek - Hip Replacement

I had a hip replacement in 2004, I was back on the court in 3 months. I worked hard at Rehab, was just a body on the court for the first 2 months but was able to get my balance and court sense back after about 6 months. Within a year and a half I was back playing USTA competively. There is still very much tennis to be played after major surgery. I have no pain, am having a wonderful time and feel like a new person.

Penny Bronger - Hip Replacement

I had hip replacement in one hip in September 2005. At the time I was 77 years old. I was back on the tennis courts within one month. I definitely recommend getting back to an active life after such surgery. At our advanced age I feel it necessary to keep moving.

Tim Narby - Dislocated Shoulder

I dislocated my left shoulder on Sept. 22 and played tennis on Dec. 9th. I was fine. I'm right handed, so this is probably not ground breaking. But my toss was fine for servering in that short time. It was so darn painful that I'm still pretty amazed it healed so fast. It was out of place for 3 hours and probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced. I actually broke off a big chunk of humerus where my rotator cuff was attached. There was no surgery. They just had me wear a sling for 4 weeks and the bone grew back perfectly. I'm 54.

Don Fujishige - Knee Ligament Surgery

Back in '82 while living in Honolulu my right knee ligament blew out running down a tennis ball. It required surgery on the outside and inside parts of the knee. The inside was done with arthroscopy and left no scar. Wish I could say the same for the outside. Anyway after working with a therapist using water I was able to regain free movement on the knee. We worked in a swimming pool and the ocean. Determined to get back on the courts I did lots of running to get back in shape which was a mistake because the knee has become weak due to the pounding it took from the pavement and black top. My advice to others facing knee replacement, surgery is to take care of it soon. The therapy using today's technology is painless and effective. Much better than what I went through. In no time the game of tennis will return and you can have fun again.

Fred Andrews - Hip Replacement

I had a total hip replacement 11 months ago when I was 63 at the VA Hospital and it was fantastic. I wasn't hitting the ball for about 3 months and it took a couple more months before I was really back to normal. Now it's great playing, hiking etc. without the pain. I play singles but most doctors will discourage it. The most common regret with a hip replacement is "Why didn't I do this sooner?".

Sherman Sloan - Alternative Medicine

Have you tried or thought about trying any form of alternative medicine? I injured my shoulder last July and tennis was the culprit. I ran the usual course and visited my regular doctor, had x-rays, an MRI, and then went to a surgeon. They had me tested for pinched nerves and those proved to be normal. I was then dispatched to the rehab center. After several sessions, the trainer determined that he had done as much as he could for me and he suggested that I try acupuncture. I had read all of the acupuncture signs along 15th NW and along Aurora Avenue and they did not look very inviting or professional.

The rehab trainer recommended a licensed acupuncturist in my neighborhood and I interviewed her and she in turn interviewed me. On finding my condition, she assured me that her practice would help my problem. She presented her price schedule and it seemed reasonable. The best part was that it would keep me from having surgery. I have had a couple of surgeries and they have not bothered me, but at my present age, the thought of rehab made my choice to have acupuncture more sensible.

After about two months of acupuncture treatment, going once or twice a week, the acupuncturist deemed me ready to try tennis three weeks ago. I made an appointment with tennis pro, Bill Bartlett, to set me straight on my swing in order to save my shoulder from any further problems. Bill set me straight on several steps that I had let slip over the ten months that I had not been playing. The two full sessions that my foursome partners have endured have not gone very well, but I am hoping to improve or else it is off to the glue factory!

As you may have noticed, I heartily endorse the practice of acupuncture with the results that I have experienced to date. If you would care to check further into the practice and read some pertinent information, here is the acupuncture website: www.acupuncturetoday.com. I hope the above information gives you some insight into the practice that I had not previously given a thought. Recovery would have only taken about 5 months total had it not been for my procrastination.

I was informed about a link to find a qualified practitioner in your neighborhood. The link is www.nccaom.org. The other time-tested method is to ask friends, family, and associates if they have a recommendation for you.

For your consideration: Sherman Sloan

Anne Wise - Knee Replacement - Anne says:

Over sixty...Over seventy...Do it Now! There are many new procedures to improve your mobility...Knee replacement can be less traumatic with much less down time... you'll be back on your feet in no time with no more pain or lack of mobility. Call me if you have any questions.
Anne Bentrott Wise 206-248-2226.

BioDuct

A new treatment to help repair a torn meniscus. The bio-absorbable device implanted arthroscopically transports cells and blood to the area. With an adequate blood supply, a meniscus tear can heal itself completely in less than 12 weeks. Provided above is a link to the King 5 News Jean Enersen report.

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