Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Book Appointment
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Book Appointment
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Patient Stories
  • Patient Enjoys Woodworking Again after Surgery
Content

PATIENT STORIES Patient Enjoys Woodworking Again after Surgery

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Medical Foundation

Carmen Capogreco and her husband, John, have lived in the same Sacramento neighborhood for 73 years. After retirement, John took up woodworking and furniture upholstery as a hobby. Capogreco joined him in the garage while he worked with the tools and soon followed in John's footsteps, carving and sanding the wood and creating unique pieces of furniture. "Woodworking is very relaxing for me," Capogreco says.

The couple have been woodworking for the past 20 years and have crafted pieces for places as far away as China and Italy.

A few years ago, Capogreco gradually began feeling pain in her right shoulder. The pain slowly limited her range of motion until she couldn't perform routine tasks, like brushing her hair, taking clothes out of the dryer, or shutting the car door. Capogreco had a hard time sanding the wood on the furniture she was creating. And the pain was so bad it woke her up at night.

She made an appointment with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Weber, who gave Capogreco two choices. She could undergo a shoulder arthroscopy to clean out the shoulder and see if that would alleviate the pain, or she could have her shoulder joint replaced.

Capogreco opted for the shoulder arthroscopy with Dr. Weber, which kept the pain at bay for about two years. She then underwent a shoulder joint replacement, again with Dr. Weber.

After the surgery she wore a sling to support her right arm for six weeks. Once the sling came off, Capogreco performed range of motion and strength-training exercises with a physical therapist. "The exercises helped me regain my range of motion without any discomfort," Capogreco says.

Her shoulder is now well enough to tackle small woodworking items, and soon she'll be able to take on more pieces. "I'm very glad I had the shoulder replacement," Capogreco says. "I know it's not as popular as hip or knee replacement, but it's nothing to be scared of. I can sleep again; I've got great mobility, and I'm back to working on my woodwork."

Related Stories

A Hero's Recovery

Travis went from fisherman to hero after he shielded his friends from an assailant with a gun.

How Two Women Were Liberated from Atrial Fibrillation

Madlyn and Rocky share how they overcame atrial fibrillation thanks to Christopher Woods, M.D., and the team at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center.

Missy Finds Balance in Less-Drastic Treatment Option

When Missy found out she had breast cancer, she understandably panicked. But her medical team stayed calm and guided her to the best treatment option.

From Sudden Paralysis to Movement Again

A patient reunites with his horse 16 days after Guillain Barré syndrome paralyzed him in the middle of the night.

Stroke Patient Walks Again After Rehabilitation

Brad Barber went from being close to death, to alive but severely disabled, to walking with a cane thanks to the Sutter Rehabilitation Institute.

See all Patient Stories

Disclaimer

Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice.

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Book Appointment
  • Request Medical Records
  • Donate Now
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences