Shoulder injuries finally find relief from Dr. Kristen Thomas
Mike Belair couldn’t reach above his head to get a coffee cup and knew something was wrong. “There wasn’t sharp or nagging pain, it was just the lack of motion,” Mike recalls, “It didn’t hurt as much as it was just that I couldn’t do things.”
Years before, he slipped and fell, landing on his elbow. He didn’t know it at the time, but he tore muscle and damaged his right shoulder. After visiting urgent care and seeing his primary care doctor, he went to physical therapy. By now, six to seven weeks had passed. His physical therapist recommended that he see a surgeon. Mike shared in his first appointment with Dr. Kristen Thomas, “She knew before she did anything, she said, I bet you tore your rotator cuff.” Mike had surgery that went well, and he returned to work. Time passed, and he noticed problems with his left shoulder.
Terry Swagerty, another patient of Dr. Thomas, loves to spend time with his family, whether walking with them through the neighborhood or riding bikes together. Eight years ago, he had his right rotator cuff repaired and four years ago, his left, by Dr. Thomas. Recently his right shoulder began to hurt again and while on one of his favorite walks, he came across Dr. Thomas. She asked how he was doing, and he shared his concerns with her. That afternoon, he had an appointment to see her. In October, he had total shoulder replacement. “Beyond expectations,” and “phenomenal recovery,” were words he used to describe his experience. Terry states emphatically, “Everything about her and her staff, superlative experience. 10’s all around.” Terry is back out walking over 20-miles per week with no pain.
Mike revisited Dr. Thomas about his left shoulder. She evaluated his symptoms and recommended surgery, “she was immediately concerned,” Mike said. From that Friday afternoon visit, he had imaging done the next day and was in surgery by Tuesday – a mere three days later. He is back in physical therapy and doing well. From his initial appointment, it was clear to Mike, “The moment that she [Dr. Thomas] walked in and started talking to me, I knew that I had made the right decision. I could tell right away that she was smart, she was very focused, and she got things done. She prepared for me for what was going to happen [and] there were no surprises – She’s one of the top of the top [doctors].” Mike can finally reach that coffee cup now.
To learn more about Dr. Kristen Thomas and make your own appointment, visit this link that also includes an introductory video of her: https://www.legacyhealth.org/providers/kristen-thomas