Shoulder shrug: Jerry's experience with two shoulder surgeries

We asked Jerry Vermeer to share his experience having two shoulder surgeries with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Josh Locker here at Orange City Area Health System. Here's his story, in his words ...

With my right shoulder I had a complete rotator cuff tear along with bicep tendon, which had to be re-attached. The tendons that come from the chest over to the shoulder had to be re-attached as well. Dr Josh Locker said that both shoulders were mirror images of each other before the surgeries.

Before my surgeries I was going to Dr. Taylor Dreise (in our Sports Medicine Clinic) about every three months and getting a cortisone injection into the shoulder. This continued until my shoulder started keeping me awake at night.

In both surgeries after the MRI was completed and Dr. Locker knew what he was dealing with we had an appointment for next steps. In both surgeries we had to schedule so that the surgery was in the middle of my 8 week stelara injection for Chrones. Dr. Locker explained to me what exactly was going to be done surgically to my shoulder and if I had any questions. The second time I didn't have as many questions.

They helped me schedule my Pre OP physical with my doctor Dr. Millard (in our Family Medicine Clinic) the week before my surgery. In scheduling the surgery on my left shoulder, (which was my second one) Dr. Locker allowed me to wait until after my full week fishing trip because the year before I had to cancel that because of my surgery.

The surgeries both went well. Anesthetist Dustin Schuur met with me and explained about the nerve block that he was going to do on my shoulder (a wonderful thing) and what was going to happen. Then Dr. Locker came in and explained more about what was about to happen and checked me out before beginning the surgery. The nursing staff were great, very pleasant and helpful throughout the whole procedure. After surgery it was explained to me what I had to do for pain management and what I had to do for wound care. All throughout my experience I was totally blown away by the professionalism and care I received.

My surgery was same day outpatient surgery. I had my surgery in the morning and got to go home in the early afternoon.

Two weeks after surgery I was scheduled to see Dr. Locker again to have my stitches removed and get my next instructions. I was then scheduled for physical therapy twice a week. Dr. Locker said that it would take a full six months to get my shoulder back in shape and get my full movement back. I did not believe him at first, but he knows what he's talking about ... it takes six months.

In physical therapy I worked with JD Pluim plus a few other therapists when JD was busy or on vacation. He was great! Even though a few times I thought he was trying to break my arm off! All the people there were friendly and professional and knowledgeable. I did therapy for five months starting with twice a week and tapering down to once a week.

My right shoulder is fully recovered and is doing great. I am still in the middle of therapy on my left shoulder right at my 3-month post op. Making steady improvements every week, and plan to be fully mobile by the end of the year. (Note: this was written in November 2025)

I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about having surgery or a medical procedure and/or physical therapy to consider Orange City Area Health System. Everyone I dealt with had great professionalism but also had a great sense of humor and was willing to listen and talk about anything, even outside of the medical procedure that was going to be done. For me that is important. I like to get to know the doctor who is taking my life in his hands.