“It is like I have been given a new lease of life.”
Colin Balman was a keen bodybuilder until general wear and tear in both of his shoulders caused him to adapt his exercises, before eventually it forced him to stop competing altogether.
Colin, 60, from Dartford, first came to The Horder Centre in 2018 with neck and shoulder pain. He saw Mr Per Anderberg, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and had a shoulder decompression to reduce the pain and improve the movement in his shoulder.
This provided relief for a while until the stiffness gradually returned.
Colin, a retired policeman, said: “Things were getting difficult. I began adapting my exercises in the gym to suit my ability, but my capability was decreasing.
“I had to be really careful about my scapula, spine and neck. I was a bodybuilder but I stopped competing as I couldn’t build the muscle.
“It got to the point where I could only lift my right shoulder to 90 degrees and the left shoulder was clunking and painful.”
Colin was referred to Mr Hagen Jähnich, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, for a total shoulder replacement on both shoulders.
His right shoulder was operated on first, and six months later, he had the same procedure on his left shoulder.
On both occasions, Colin stayed at The Horder Centre for two nights, before following the advice of the team of physiotherapists during his stay and subsequent recovery at home.
He was in a sling for six to eight weeks and returned to the gym after three months to start to build the muscle.
Since his recovery, Colin has returned to bodybuilding and is now a coach and personal trainer.
He adds: “Without the operation, I would have been in dire straits. During my check-ups I asked Mr Jähnich which weights I should be using. He was keen to get me back to being active and I completely trusted him.
“The movement I have now is amazing – I can even touch the centre of the back with my hand. Before, I couldn’t lift my arms to brush my hair or take off my jumper.
“It is like I have been given a new lease of life and I feel I have gone back years.”
“Shoulder replacements are challenging operations. They can provide significant pain relief and often allow improved function. Mr Balman has been a very motivated patient and has done his part in the rehabilitation. This is reflected in his good outcome.”
Hagen Jähnich, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
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The Horder Centre is an award-winning Centre of Excellence that offers patients a unique therapeutic environment. Specifically designed for orthopaedic surgery, our facilities include a physiotherapy inpatient gym and courtyard gardens designed by clinical experts to enhance recovery. Finance options available.
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