I understand what you are saying. Ronnie could have wrecked the surgeon's work. Yes, sometimes when you need extensive repairs heavy lifting is out of the question. Worked with a guy that wrecked his elbow benching. After the operation it didn't work like it did and he tried so hard to get back to his 400lbs benches. He should have used the other 100 plus movements in the gym but he quit lifting since he didn't have that show case bench.
Not all surgeons are competent. Some are hacks. My training partner in my early twenties got his shoulder repaired. It was a 100% worst after the operation. He gave up lifting after that. Some orthopedic surgeons are artists especially the ones that specialize in just one area. I went to a group practice that had the knee guy, hand guy, shoulder guy, hip guy and so on. They all just did one thing.
In the end Ronnie should have given up heavy lifting when he left competition like Yates did. Nothing wrong with doing a hard fitness workout after you have won all those Olympias.
I think Ronnie caused his own demise, but there are some terrible surgeons out there.
My younger brother worked for an insurance company that covered Doctor's malpractice claims.
He told me some insane stories. Many multiple offenders that didn't kill anyone but caused repeated surgeries.
I had an ACL replacement in my 20's by the best surgeon in Texas who was known for doing a lot of Pro Athlete's surgeries.
15 years later i tore the same ACL stepping off a 6" curb leaving a restaurant.
His response was that walking on rigid pavement is always risky.
Found a new surgeon for round 2.
