Overcoming Shoulder Pain – A Journey to Relief with Orthopedic Care in Benson

For over a year, Jackie Commerford of Benson struggled with pain and restricted movement in her left arm and shoulder. She couldn't raise her arm, which made even the simplest, everyday tasks more difficult. She decided it was time to act and seek relief.

Jackie chose to consult with the orthopedic specialist at CentraCare - Benson. "I heard great things through word of mouth, so I decided to go to Benson for a consultation and then chose them for surgery."

Jackie had x-rays taken prior to her appointment with orthopedic surgeon, Joyce Tarbet, MD. At the consultation, Dr. Tarbet explained that Jackie needed to have a reverse total shoulder replacement on her left shoulder.

"I trusted Dr. Tarbet would do what needed to be done," said Jackie

Surgery Day

The day of surgery went smoothly for Jackie. "I did my pre-op, which meant I couldn't eat or drink after midnight," she explained. The next morning, she went to the hospital for surgery. Following the surgery, Jackie stayed one night in the hospital. She shared that all the staff were wonderful. Having local Benson team members care for her made Jackie feel more comfortable with the overall experience.

Recovery and Rehab

Following surgery, Jackie felt well prepared by her care team for recovery. She wore an arm brace for a little over one month. "The hardest part was getting in and out of chairs and not being able to carry anything," she said. "I would recommend having a caregiver to help at home after surgery."

Jackie began therapy six weeks after surgery. She was able to receive therapy services at CentraCare - Benson, in partnership with Big Stone Therapies. She continued therapy for about 12 weeks.

Regaining Independence

For Jackie, little things like combing her hair, reaching for items, or even getting dressed was difficult and painful prior to her shoulder surgery. Now she can accomplish these tasks pain-free.

Jackie was happy to have made the decision to see Dr. Tarbet at CentraCare - Benson. "Having shoulder surgery has improved my life."

Having the option to have her orthopedic shoulder surgery completed locally worked out well for Jackie also. "Overall, I was very happy with how everything went," she shared. "From the surgeon to the care team, there were no problems."

Following her successful surgery and rehabilitation, Jackie is pleased to now return to her day-to-day activities and do the normal things she was missing out on.