Cubs pitcher considers pros, cons of shoulder surgery
March 31st, 2010 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Shoulder surgery may be the only hope for Chicago Cubs pitcher Angel Guzman to get back into the game. A recent MRI revealed that the right-handed pitcher had a severe tear in a ligament in his shoulder near his armpit. Despite the finding, he says he is seeking a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to determine if surgery is preferable to a more conservative treatment. “It’s gong to be tough,” he told MLB.com. “By doing (the surgery), I have a small chance (of playing in the major leagues), but there is a chance.”
Andrews performed surgery on Guzman’s shoulder in July 2003. Experts say that a full recovery from a second surgery is unlikely. But shoulder pain this spring has kept the pitcher off the mound despite strengthening exercises over the off season. Surgery may be his only hope.
“I don’t think there’s a chance to get it fixed without the surgery,” Guzman said. “By doing rehab, it won’t do anything. I spent four months here working out and I felt as strong as ever and there’s still pain. I think that’s the only way to get it fixed.”
For professional athletes in particular, shoulder surgery is nothing to take lightly. The injuries alone can be enough to end careers, but for some, surgery to repair shoulder injuries has resulted in serious problems. One such problem comes from the use of pain pumps, devices used to inject pain medication directly into the shoulder joint for up to 72 hours following shoulder surgery. That medication was found to have caused the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder joint, causing bone to rub against bone. This painful and irreversible condition is known as chondrolysis.