Francisco chronic shoulder pain

For Francisco, chronic shoulder pain slowly impacted every part of his life. What began in 2014 as discomfort in his left shoulder became years of limited movement, daily pain and sleepless nights. "I couldn't raise my arm all the way. Driving was painful. Working was painful," Francisco recalls. "My lifestyle changed completely."

As an aquatic therapy instructor and lifelong swimmer, Francisco relies on his strength every day assisting children with developmental challenges during water-based therapy sessions. Despite years of physical therapy and pain management, he needed a more permanent solution. "I had a lot of misconceptions about surgery," he says. "I was afraid it would make things worse."

That changed when a trusted physical therapist whom he worked with referred him to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Schwartz. After years of hesitation, Francisco finally felt reassured. Dr. Schwartz diagnosed him with shoulder osteoarthritis and recommended a shoulder resurfacing procedure—an approach that would preserve the healthy parts of Francisco's shoulder. "He explained everything," Francisco says. "The pros, the cons, what to expect. He spoke to me in a way I could understand. That gave me all the confidence to move forward with the surgery."

Equally impactful was the care surrounding the surgery. From pre-operative education to anesthesia, Dr. Schwartz's Physician's Assistant, and the surgical team, Francisco felt supported at every step. "The team worked together like a unit," he says. "There were all so connected. That made me feel safe."

Francisco's recovery exceeded his expectations. He felt good immediately after surgery and quickly returned to physical therapy. Within months, he was back to swimming, lifting, walking, and the job he loves. He is happy to report that he can hug his daughters again without pain. "I saw how fragile your body can be," he says. "But Dr. Schwartz put me back on track with my life."