“Dr. Drake Matuska, the nurses, and staff in Sports Medicine have gone out of their way to treat my arm injuries that have limited my work and personal activities.
My right elbow common extensor tendon was already torn and very painful. This condition is also known as tennis elbow, despite the fact that I’ve never played tennis. Then, literally overnight, my right shoulder became very painful. I woke up in pain and a few days later I lost half of its strength.
Dr. Matuska advised me not to use my right arm to lift more than 5 pounds. Imagine, the approximate weight of a gallon of milk. As a result of my injuries, I was unable to work, especially since my left side was weakened by a severe traumatic brain injury in 2007.
To take a medical leave of absence and file for unemployment, Dr. Matuska and his staff completed numerous leave of absence and unemployment forms. Each form was returned promptly to me. They’ve also answered most of my Follow My Health patient portal messages within 24 hours.
Under Dr. Matuska’s care, I am doing physical therapy with Katelind Loutzenhiser, PT, DPT. My arm is becoming more functional all the time. I love my care team, and so does my service dog, Charlee! And I’m searching very hard for a job somewhere, doing something.
I have confidence my arm will fully heal, although I know that returning to full function will take medical procedures and time.”