Testimonials
Three years after a bicycle accident that separated his left shoulder, 41 year old Michael Daher was still in pain. Therapy immediately after the accident was supposed to solve the problem, but the constant, aggravating pain remained.
Daher's active lifestyle--swimming, lifting weights, coaching youth football and practicing martial arts---made it even more that the shoulder problem be resolved. As a salesman for a medical malpractice insurance company, Daher works closely with the Broward County Medical Association, whose president referred him to orthopedic surgeon, Paul Meli M.D..
After X-rays and an MRI, Dr. Meli discovered damage to the shoulder's Rotator Cuff-- damage that was not originally diagnosed when the accident occurred.
"Dr. Meli's honesty was refreshing." Daher says "He told me exactly what was wrong, but he also told me he wasn't sure that surgery could repair the damage or alleviate the pain". " I don't know if I can fix it", Dr. Meli told me. " A lot has happened in three years and I won't know until I go in". Dr. Meli told me I could do nothing and endure the pain or try to have the damage repaired through Arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Meli gave me no guarantees, but said there was about a 50% chance of improving the shoulder and reducing the pain." Anything above 50% is a bonus, he told me."
The Arthroscopic surgery took place in March 2000. Dr. Meli repaired torn ligaments, removed bone chips and repaired the rotator cuff. He also cut back the clavicle bone because the accident had caused it to rub against another bone, adding to Daher's pain.
Since the operation, Daher has vigorously participated in therapy to rebuild the strength in his shoulder and arm. In August 2000, he had his six-month check up.
"The shoulder is 90-100% healed," says a rejuvenated Daher. "Best of all, I have no pain".
Former Olympic Skier Dick Ireland
“I Trust This Doctor with My Life”
Former U. S. Olympic skier Dick Ireland saw his dreams of glory demolished during practice trials. The day before his U.S. Olympic team was to perform, the young snow skier shredded his left knee. That was 30 years ago. Although Ireland didn’t participate in the Olympics, he continued to ski, as well as play semi pro-soccer, tournament tennis, football—if it was athletic, Dick Ireland did it.
Today, the owner and operator of R.H. Ireland & Sons Landscaping in Fort Lauderdale has had a total knee replacement, and two rebuilt shoulders –all successful operations –thanks to Paul Meli, MD, medical director of Meli Orthopedics.
“I knew one day I would need a total knee replacement, even though I’d had several knee operations years earlier. I went to Dr. Meli in 1997. He confirmed I needed a new knee, but suggested I wait until I slowed down in both my business and my active lifestyle. He told me that at age 54, I should wait a couple of years before having the surgery. Any other doctor would have had me on the operating table the next day,” Ireland says.
In the meantime, however, Dr. Meli repaired Ireland’s right shoulder—again the product of too much strenuous athletic activity over many years.
In March of 1999, Ireland took his 89-year old mother skiing. The next week, Dr. Meli replaced Ireland’s left knee.
“Dr. Meli encouraged me through the long therapy process. He made sure everything worked. I trust this man with my life,” Ireland says, pointing to a photo taken before the surgery that shows a crooked left leg caused by the damaged knee.
As recently as September (2000), Ireland was on the operating table again. Dr. Meli rebuilt his left shoulder and repaired the rotator cuff. “I’m still in therapy, but I feel great. I am fortunate to have such a good surgeon who also cares about me as a person. His technical skills are phenomenal, but he really cares about his patients, too. He’s genuine and he’s honest. It’s hard to find that combination.”