Hand & Wrist Surgery Success
For stained glass craftsman Karl, being able to do the work he loves isn’t something he takes for granted. While working as a high school custodian in 2009, he shattered the bones in his wrist as he attempted to break up a school fight. The injury was so severe that he wasn’t sure he’d regain enough functionality to continue pursuing his beloved avocation.
Enter Dr. T. J. Reilly.
He and Karl have become quite well-acquainted over the past 10 years. In fact, they first met back in 1982, when Dr. Reilly was an intern on Karl’s original surgery team to shorten tendons in his right arm.
In December 2008, Karl returned to Dr. Reilly for an appointment and discovered that the metal sutures from that previous surgery were breaking and had to be removed. After having surgery, he returned to work at the school with his arm in a cast – just one month before that fight changed everything.
Since 2009, Dr. Reilly has performed 11 surgeries on Karl to repair the damage caused by that fateful day in school. He had his 12th surgery in February 2018.
“Dr. Reilly tried to keep as much movement in my hand as possible,” Karl shares. “He’s really gone above and beyond. He listened to and understood my concerns. Above all, he knew I wanted to continue to be able to work.”
Karl isn’t quite able to do everything he used to, but he’s able to do a lot. He’s extremely grateful to get back to his company, Glassmith Arts, to design custom glass artwork and jewelry, and restore stained glass for local churches.
Recently, Karl surprised Dr. Reilly with a gift of stained glass. “I created this piece for Dr. Reilly to show him what I could do now,” he says.
Glass work requires a high degree of manual dexterity. Not only that, but Karl lives on a farm, has a greenhouse, gardens and cans the fruits of his labors. He does much of this work himself, but requires a little help here and there.
“I am very pleased with the entire hand and wrist group at the Crystal Clinic,” Karl notes. “Everyone has been absolutely super in hand therapy. I’m glad no one ever gave up on me. I appreciate every bit of their help.”