Getting Back to the Game He Loves: SamCydrus’ Story

For Sam Cydrus, golf is more than a hobby. It’s something he’s passionate about, and something shoulder pain had taken away from him.

Born and raised in Chillicothe, Sam spent his career in education, working his way from teacher and guidance counselor to junior high principal before retiring as a middle school principal. Now 80, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Patricia, his family and, whenever he can, getting out on the golf course.

But for a long time, arthritis in both shoulders made that difficult.

“There wasn’t a whole lot that I was able to do…without suffering from pain,” Sam shared.

The constant ache affected his everyday life and eventually kept him from playing the game he loved. Sam knew it was time to find an answer.

When Sam began looking for an orthopedic surgeon, one name kept coming up: Dr. Brian Cohen.

“Dr. Cohen was recommended to me by a lot of different people,” Sam said. “They said if you want to get your shoulders done, you need to have the best.”

Those recommendations may have brought Sam through the door, but it was his first appointment that gave him confidence in moving forward.

Sam remembers Dr. Cohen taking the time to understand his pain and explain exactly what was happening in his shoulders. He walked Sam through the arthritis he was experiencing, what could be done about it and what the procedure would involve.

“I thought he knew exactly what was going on with me,” Sam said. “He understood the pains that I had.”

For Sam, that clear communication mattered.

“He explained exactly what was going on with my shoulders,” he recalled. “Everything was explained, just exactly what was going to happen.”

That meant Sam and Patricia could approach surgery knowing what to expect instead of feeling like they were walking into the unknown.

Sam ultimately had both shoulders treated by Dr. Cohen, beginning with his right shoulder and later his left.

From his appointments in Chillicothe through surgery and follow-up care, Sam says the experience consistently made him feel supported.

“I couldn’t have asked for any better doctor,” he said, describing Dr. Cohen as someone who was interested in what he did, listened to the pain he was experiencing and took time to talk through his care.

That same experience continued with the rest of the team.

“Every single solitary one of them that I met, from Chillicothe to the actual operating room…they were just fantastic,” Sam said. “I think all of them went above and beyond.”

On the day of surgery, Sam remembers the hospital staff helping him through each step, from registration to preparation for the procedure. Before surgery, Dr. Cohen once again explained what was going to happen.

For Sam, those moments of communication made a difference. He wasn’t left wondering what came next.

After surgery and rehabilitation, Sam began getting back to the things arthritis had made difficult.

Most importantly, he got back to golf.

“I can do everything now,” he said. “I’ve been back to playing golf and enjoying it.”

He also regained the ability to lift and was pleased with his range of motion. Even his physical therapist was impressed with his progress.

At 80 years old, Sam is enjoying being active again, and doing it without the shoulder pain that had limited him for so long.

“I can do anything now that I did when I was younger,” he joked, before adding one exception: running a mile very fast.

That sense of humor is part of who Sam is. His wife describes him as hardworking, funny and lovable, and his personality helped make connections with the people caring for him throughout both procedures.

For Sam, a positive orthopedic experience wasn’t defined by surgery alone. It was about being listened to, knowing what to expect and feeling cared for before, during and after his procedures.

“From the time that I had my surgery, I couldn’t have asked for any better care from all of them,” he said. “And his follow-up has been excellent.”

Today, Sam doesn’t hesitate when asked whether he would trust Dr. Cohen again. In fact, he has already recommended him to friends.

“All in all, it was just a great experience for me,” Sam said.

And perhaps the best measure of that experience is where Sam is today: back on the golf course, enjoying the game he loves and moving forward without the shoulder pain that once kept him from it.

Because patient-first orthopedic care isn’t only about treating a joint.

It’s about listening to what pain has taken away, and helping patients get back to the lives they love.