From Pain to Peak Performance: A Former Elite Athlete’s Journey Back to an Active Life
For Tom, an accomplished former elite-level runner, shoulder pain had become a constant companion, limiting his ability to enjoy the outdoor activities that defined his life. The pain, which affected both shoulders but primarily his left, reached a breaking point after a fall on ice and some strenuous yard work. That’s when he knew it was time to seek help.
Through a series of trusted referrals, beginning with his primary care physician, Tom found his way to Dr. Daniel Haber at Panorama Orthopedics. What initially caught Tom’s attention was learning about Dr. Haber’s experience working with Olympic athletes. As a former elite athlete himself, Tom understood the unique demands of high-level performance and knew he needed a surgeon who could help him return to an active lifestyle.
From their first meeting, Tom and his wife were impressed by Dr. Haber’s approach to patient care. “He’s just an easy man to talk to,” Tom reflects. “He listened so well. He’ll sit there with you forever. He’s not like some doctors who say ‘get them in, get them out.’ That’s not the way he works.”
This personalized attention proved particularly valuable as Tom was initially nervous about surgery. Dr. Haber’s thorough explanations and willingness to answer all their questions helped calm their concerns. The doctor performed a reverse shoulder replacement on Tom’s left shoulder, followed by a rotator cuff repair on the right. Though the recoveries were different – surprisingly, the more extensive left shoulder surgery had an easier recovery than the right – both procedures were successful.
The impact on Tom’s quality of life has been profound. Before surgery, he experienced “24/7 pain” and had to give up many activities he loved with his family, including archery hunting, fishing, canoeing, biking, and hiking. Dr. Haber and his team took particular care to understand these goals, even incorporating bow-drawing movements into Tom’s rehabilitation exercises.
The results speak for themselves. Tom has returned to all his favorite activities, pain-free. He’s back to playing family football at Thanksgiving (as quarterback, no less), lifting his grandchildren, and pursuing outdoor adventures. He and his wife recently completed a boat and bike trip through the Netherlands, cycling 20 miles daily. They’re already planning their next adventure – a fishing expedition to Alaska.
Perhaps most meaningful was Tom’s first return to archery hunting with his son. When asked about the first time he could fully draw his bow again post-surgery, Tom’s response was simple but powerful: “This is so awesome without hurting.”
The emotional impact of this transformation is evident when Tom and his wife discuss Dr. Haber and his team. “You really gave him back his life of enjoying the outdoors. That’s who Tom is to his core,” his wife shares, her voice full of emotion. Tom agrees, finding it difficult to put his gratitude into words.
Their message to others considering treatment with Dr. Haber is straightforward: “Don’t hesitate.” As Tom puts it, “Get it done and be pain-free. Why wait?” The couple emphasizes not just Dr. Haber’s surgical expertise, but the excellence of his entire team. “Everyone there was really wonderful to work with, and we could contact them if we needed and get a quick response.”
Today, Tom and his wife are actively checking off their bucket list, embracing their “golden years” with the freedom to pursue adventures they had to postpone while working. Thanks to Dr. Haber’s care, Tom faces the future without limitations, ready to take on whatever challenges and experiences await.
Dr. Daniel Haber
Dr. Haber is a sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at Panorama Orthopedics & Spine, specializing in musculoskeletal conditions of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. He sees patients in north Denver, including Broomfield, Erie, Lafayette, and Superior.