West Bloomfield Grandfather Back to Winning Gold Medals After Rotator Cuff Surgery at Henry Ford Health 

DETROIT – After lifting weights consistently for more than four decades, Jeff Ellis was at the top of his game. He was a regular in the Michigan Senior Olympics, showcasing his weightlifting prowess on a statewide stage. 

But the accountant from West Bloomfield thought a lifetime of strength training might be over when a bone spur tore through his rotator cuff during a workout. 

The 65-year-old grandfather had just started another set on the bench press in November 2023 — something he’d done routinely since college — when suddenly all the strength in his shoulder disappeared. 

“I lost all strength on that side of my body,” Ellis said. “I knew something serious had happened.” 

The rotator cuff tear was confirmed by multiple providers, who all agreed surgery was the only option. For Ellis, there was no question who he wanted to see: Henry Ford Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephanie Muh. 

“My primary care physician and a longtime physical therapist both said, ‘You need to see Dr. Muh,’” Ellis said. “She came highly recommended. When I saw her, she spent more time with me than anyone else I had consulted. I knew she was my best chance at getting back to normal.” 

Dr. Muh, who was aware of Ellis’s dedication to weightlifting, diagnosed Ellis with a traumatic rotator cuff tear, an acute injury that differs from more common degenerative tears that develop slowly over time. 

The injury that Ellis encountered occurs when one or more of the tendons that surround the shoulder joint tear.

“Given Jeff’s lifestyle and activity level, we wanted to get him into surgery as quickly as possible to give him the best chance of a full recovery,” said Dr. Muh. “In addition to repairing the tear, I used a bioinductive patch to promote better healing. It’s designed to stimulate collagen growth and reduce the risk of re-tear — especially important in active patients like Jeff.” 

The surgery was performed in January 2024, and just six days later Ellis began physical therapy at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. 

“I took it seriously,” Ellis said. “I haven’t had any issues since. I’m back to weightlifting with zero restrictions.” 

Dr. Muh credits Ellis’s pre-injury fitness and dedication to rehab for his fast recovery, and she hopes his story inspires others to continue prioritizing physical activity as they age.

“Chronological age isn’t everything,” she said. “Physiologic age — how active and well-conditioned you are — makes a huge difference. Jeff’s outcome reflects that. He did phenomenal.” 

By March 2024, Ellis was back on the medal stand — this time with a gold medal and a new record in his age and weight class at the Michigan Senior Olympics. And this summer? He will head to the National Senior Games.

“Weightlifting is part of my life. That’s kind of who I am,” Ellis said. “Those thoughts definitely cross your mind — am I going to be able to get back to where I want to be? Fortunately, it all worked out.”  

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MEDIA CONTACT: mediarelations@hfhs.org