We first connected with Chip Taylor back in 2021 to hear about his experience with Anika’s OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid Total Shoulder Implant! Chip graciously agreed to tell his Anika success story.
We were immediately impressed – Chip is a jack of all trades and an avid, competitive athlete who returned to his active lifestyle after surgery with Anika’s OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid Total Shoulder Arthroplasty System. Chip was thrilled at his recovery and the success he saw which allowed him to return to his favorite hobbies like swimming and weightlifting without pain and restriction.
To find out how Chip is doing today, we recently sat down with him to check in on his progress and see how he is continuing to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Q: It has been a few years since you received the OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid Total Shoulder Implant. How are you doing now?
A: I am now four years post-op and I have absolutely no problems with my shoulder. It is as though I have a totally new shoulder!
Q: What activities were you able to return to following recovery? And are you able to do those activities pain-free with full range of motion 4 years later? Have you added any new activities to your arsenal?
A: I’ve been able to return to all activities and I’m extremely active. My typical week involves two or three swim workouts that are generally from 2,200-3,000 yards each. In addition, I do two or three CrossFit-style workouts each week with some days swimming followed by CrossFit. At least once or twice a week, I lift weights.
After workouts, I take care of my 735-acre timber farm in Alabama. I do not have any hired help and do all of the work myself. This includes tractor work; maintaining over five miles of fence; cutting, splitting, and stacking firewood; maintaining roads; and more. We also have a small ranch in Colorado that is thankfully not quite as much work, but I do maintain a couple of miles of fence and shovel snow. I find time for recreation in the form of snow skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and hiking.
All of my many activities are done with full range of motion, totally free of pain, and I can do them as well as I did prior to any shoulder injuries or problems. I particularly enjoy when someone approaches me at the pool or gym and says, “Someone was telling me you have a shoulder replacement. Is that really true?”
Q: In 2021, you mentioned how the first opinion you received from a doctor was a negative one. Essentially, they felt your chance of resuming full range of motion and activity level was very slim. If you had the chance, what would you say to that doctor today?
A: I consulted a doctor at a world-famous orthopedic clinic two years prior to my surgery with the OVOMotion and was told I would eventually need a total shoulder replacement. The doctor painted a very grim picture of what I would be able to do after a traditional total shoulder procedure. I told the doctor, based on that, I would have to be in debilitating pain before I would consent to a procedure that would not allow me to do the things I enjoy.
If I could, I would love now to invite that doctor to do just one day of workouts with me. I would then encourage him to attend the next available medical education event to learn about Anika’s OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid total shoulder system and how it can benefit patients.
Q: Can you tell us how you first discovered Anika’s solutions and specifically the OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid? What drew you to OVOMotion as a potential solution?
A: I found the information on the OVOMotion implant on the internet. I liked the fact that the technique conserved bone, replicated the original anatomy of the humeral head, and didn’t carry the post-recovery restrictions that more traditional replacements imposed. It was more of a modern day solution. After consulting with Dr. Tyler J. Marshall, M.D, he gave me an encouraging prognosis of returning to the activities that were so important to me and my quality of life but to also reduce my pain and increase my range of motion.
Q: How long did your recovery process take and what improvements/changes did you notice?
A: As far as recovery is concerned, the first victory was the total relief of pain. I took Tylenol for about four days post-op and then no further pain relievers were necessary. That was the hardest part of the recovery – resisting the temptation to do more than instructed because there was no pain. Slowly over the next several months as restrictions were removed, strength and range of motion improved incrementally. At one-year post-op, I was absolutely 100% and able to do things that I hadn’t been able to do in years.
Q: This is a more personal question. As an athlete, you’ve been able to return to your active lifestyle because of this implant. What does this mean to you?
A: It’s hard for me to describe my thankfulness for what the OVOMotion implant has given me. After receiving a first opinion, I struggled greatly with possibly having to give up my active lifestyle. But it is like someone turned back the hands of time and gave me a second chance to enjoy all the activities that mean so much to me. For this, I am eternally grateful.
Q: What would you say to another person searching for a solution to shoulder pain or arthritis?
A: If you have to make a decision on your shoulder, make an informed decision. Do your homework and compare all the various procedures and implant options. Once you have done this, I think you will clearly conclude that the Anika OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid Total Shoulder Implant is the superior option, if it’s right for you.
Want to locate a physician in your area? Try our Find a Doctor tool or contact us for more info! To see more stories like Chip’s, check out our Patient Success Stories page.
