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Getting His Arm Back: Jim Greenamyer’s Success Story

April 19, 2023 | Patient Success Stories
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By, Allison R. Weder

At 70 years old, Jim Greenamyer had never had a single surgery. But a rotator cuff injury and torn tendon in his shoulder meant his time as he calls it, a “surgery virgin” would be over. Jim was not looking forward to the down time his doctor warned him about. “I’ve worked hard all my life with two jobs most of the time. I just don’t quit. But my doctor told me it would be six months. I would be in a sling for two and a half months, I wouldn’t be able to touch my ears for three months, and at six months I would start getting my strength back.” The thought of being inactive worried Jim, but the thought of not being able to do the things he loved because of pain, pushed him to schedule surgery right away.

After a successful surgery, Jim’s doctor prescribed post-surgical rehabilitation. Jim chose to go to Phoenix Physical Therapy in Salem, Ohio. “It is right around the corner from me. I rolled in there three days after surgery. I had never had physical therapy before. I’m wary of everything. I know one guy who had the same surgery and can’t raise his hand above his head, and it’s been a year!” Despite being unsure, Jim began his sessions with Salem Clinic Director, Michael Chaffee, PT, MS and Danny Sawman, PTA. “We got going and it went pretty well. They saw me three times a week. They started by seeing how much movement I had in my arm to see what I could handle. Of course, Patient Care Coordinator, Samantha Sekola set me up on a nice schedule every day at 8 o’clock. I really need a set schedule.” Phoenix strives to make sure every patient is comfortable with their schedule and aims to make sure each appointment is setup ahead of time so there are no surprises.

Jim with Mike Chaffee, PT, MS and Danny Sawman, PTA

Each patient also receives a personalized therapy plan focusing on an individual’s goals. Jim wanted to get back to working on his cars. “Mike and Dan worked (my shoulder) a little bit. It hurt, but I did what I could. I noticed a change about two weeks into it. I was out of the sling in a month. Then I was out doing stuff in my garage. I was told no sanders, no grinders, so I turned wrenches. I didn’t do anything up high and I was very careful. I followed their instructions.” Jim loved getting back out in the garage, but there was still a long recovery road ahead of him.

As the exercise intensity increased in the Salem clinic, Jim reached more milestones. “They worked on strengthening my arm. We did the stretch strap over my shoulder, and we did the door frame. I would move my arm up the door frame. Then, one of the biggest things I did was put my arms on the door frame and try to step through and push my arms back. That really seemed to help. I could comb my hair at 5 weeks. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is!” Because of the type of surgery Jim had, he had to endure sleeping upright, in a chair each night. He could not risk damaging the repairs his surgeon had done. “I started sleeping back in the bed probably a month and a half, two months in. Things got better every week. I’d come home sore. They would have to give me a popsicle to make me feel better at the end of each session. Just kidding. But I never had a problem going there. I had to get better. I couldn’t just sit. I needed my arm back.”

Mike and Dan, and Jim’s hard work, gave Jim his arm back. “My doctor gave me a full release after three months. Everything is great! I’m at five months now, and I’m out (in my garage) pounding away on stuff. And I’m sleeping again! Dan asked if I was going to get a gym membership now. I said, no. I said, Dan, you only have a certain number of heartbeats and I’m not going to waste them running. I won’t lift a barbell, but I’ll lift transmissions and rear ends. I had the surgery to get back to doing the things I love to do.” Mike is proud of the hard work Jim put in to get himself where he is today. “Jim worked hard from the onset of care all the way through the day of discharge. He was, also, fun to be around. I’m glad to see him succeed and get back to all of his normal activities.”

Jim is grateful for what Mike and Dan did for him. He also points out they are professionals. Jim recalls seeing a friend of his getting treatment at the Salem clinic. He asked Mike why he was there. “(Mike) said, I can’t tell you. And I respected that. I’m kind of a private person. I didn’t want anyone to know I had surgery. So that’s important that Mike is that way. Mike and Dan…I don’t know how you do it any better! I’m a perfectionist and Mike and Dan were great.”

From being unsure about physical therapy before his first session, to seeing how it can help you get back to doing the things you love, Jim poses these questions: “Do you want to get better? Do you need your arm to comb your hair. If you want to get better you need therapy. I was very skeptical. Is it going to be fun? Probably not, but it is going to make you better.”

Jim plans to continue working on his cars, pain-free. He also plans to stop by the Salem clinic to show off his latest project, a ’55 Chevy race car named “Inappropriate.” You will have to ask Jim and Mike the details behind the name. We will just say Mike, more than once, had to tell Jim, “This is a family place, Jim. That’s inappropriate.”

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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