After years of shoulder pain, a fractured humerus, and a long search for answers, 68-year-old Carla Evans was thankful to find a surgeon whose advanced training is matched by an uncommon level of personal care.
Evans, a retired air traffic controller who spent three decades in one of the country’s most stressful professions, describes orthopedic surgeon Chris Treat, D.O., as the steady, reassuring presence she needed as she navigated two major shoulder issues — including a reverse shoulder replacement that restored nearly all her strength and mobility.
Her first experience with Dr. Treat came after a fracture in her right shoulder. Conflicting opinions from other orthopedists left her frustrated and ready to drive to the Mayo Clinic. But before she ever stepped into his office, Dr. Treat called her at home to check on her and arranged to see her within days. His calm explanation — that her shoulder would likely heal without surgery and that waiting posed no risk — was the first clear guidance she had received. Weeks later, a Mayo Clinic specialist confirmed his assessment almost verbatim.
Reverse shoulder replacement
Years later, when pain developed in her left shoulder, Evans returned to Dr. Treat. At first, he suspected her neck was contributing to the problem and coordinated imaging and conservative care. But when scans revealed a full-thickness rotator cuff tear that had completely detached from the bone, the path forward became clear. As Dr. Treat explained the anatomy and the limitations of repair, Evans realized a replacement was inevitable.
Dr. Treat recommended a reverse shoulder replacement, a procedure he performs frequently using advanced surgical techniques and a minimally invasive approach to help patients recover faster and achieve excellent results.
“For many years, shoulder replacement surgery was known to relieve pain, but patients often had limited function and difficulty using their arm,” said Dr. Treat, a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon.
“With modern reverse shoulder replacement, performed using advanced surgical techniques and a minimally invasive approach, outcomes have dramatically improved. Today, the procedure is focused on both reliable pain relief and excellent functional results, allowing patients to regain the use of their arm and return to the activities they enjoyed before their shoulder problems began.”
Evans said her surgery took only about 12 minutes — a reflection, she believes, of his precision and experience. She also credits the short operative time for her smooth recovery, noting that less time under retraction can mean less trauma to surrounding tissues. Evans worked diligently on her physical therapy, but she believes the foundation was set in the operating room.
Excellent progress
Five months later, Evans has regained about 95% of her range of motion and strength. Her other physicians — including her pain management specialist and long-term primary care doctor — were stunned by her progress. “They couldn’t believe how well I could move,” she said. “My pain doctor told me it was the best outcome he’d ever seen.”
She’s now back to painting — a favorite activity she shares with her husband Don, while remodeling rental homes — and says she can use her left arm as freely as she needs to.
“To me, equally as important, I can use my left arm as freely as I want to. If I’m 95% at 6 months, I see no reason why I can’t realistically aspire to be at 99% after a year,” Carla said.
What stands out most to her, though, is the way Dr. Treat cares for people. She says he never rushes, even when running behind, and gives each patient his full attention. “He explains everything in a way you can understand,” she said. “He treats you like family.”
“I’m so happy for Carla and her outcome,” said Dr. Treat. “She deserves, as do all of us, the highest level of treatment and care available at that time.”
For Evans, that combination of expertise and genuine care made all the difference.