Share review of Mr Alun Yewlett

Mr Alun Yewlett 2017-03-24 Person 5 5 0

After a fall just before Christmas 2016, I suffered severe damage to my right shoulder. The diagnosis was “Fracture dislocation with subcoracoid humeral head fracture” (the ball of the shoulder joint at the top of the humerous had snapped off). The extent of the injuries was such that a successful repair was not possible. I was introduced to Mr. Alun Yewlett who was a Locum consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at Prince Charles Hospital. Mr. Yewlett went to great lengths to explain what damage had been done, what options were available (there was only one) where I had a good chance of regaining a fully functional shoulder. He carried out a “Trauma reverse” (Reversed shoulder replacement) on 29th December 2016. This is an implant where the ball of the shoulder joint is put where the socket used to be and the socket put where the ball used to be. This is not a common procedure and I was fortunate for Mr. Yewlett’s expertise in this area. The operation was a great success (in my opinion) although I had to keep the shoulder pretty much immobile for 6 weeks after the operation to prevent further injury and promote healing. It’s 3 months since the operation and about 6 weeks since starting physiotherapy, with my shoulder movement and rotation improving steadily. I saw Mr. Yewlett today 24th March 2017 and he was very pleased with the way things are progressing, re iterating that it could take 9-10 months to reach the maximum movement I am likely to achieve. While it has been a bit of an ordeal for me, I was very fortunate to have been cared for by Mr. Yewlett, not only an exceptional surgeon but with a wonderful bedside manner, where nothing is too much trouble. He is very approachable and takes the time to explain everything and answers any questions you may have. A great shame he is leaving Prince Charles Hospital, but he will be a wonderful asset to his new hospital. Mrs Elizabeth Coombs