New hip, new
knee, new moves
When she’s working as a nurse, Margaret Skatell, of Homer City,
likes to take the stairs between hospital fl oors. But two years ago,
even walking was painful and diffi cult. “It was hard to do my job. I
could barely walk on my left leg,” Margaret said. “I tried therapy,
but I needed to replace the whole hip.”
Orthopaedic surgeon Brian Moore, MD, did her hip replacement
at Forbes Hospital. Because she had metal plates and screws
from an earlier pelvic fracture, he used robotic technology and
a CT scan to precisely place the new joint. Within hours after
surgery, Margaret was taking steps down the hall with a walker.
Soon after, she began physical therapy at home. “I was
determined,” she said. “I did my exercises two or three times a
day, no matter what.”
Margaret’s hard work paid off . “I’ve always been fl exible, but
now I could bend my hip and pull my leg up to my chin,” she said.
“People couldn’t believe it.”
Two years later, Margaret’s right knee became very painful, so
she went back to Dr. Moore. “He said I’d know when I was ready
for surgery. And I said, ‘Let’s just do it.’” She had follow-up visits in
Westmoreland, which is closer to her home.
“I’m little, but I’m a real go-getter. I don’t sit around saying it
hurts, I just plug away with my exercises,” she said.
1 IN 4
“I’d tell anyone
to get it done,
the sooner
the better.”
MARGARET SKATELL, JOINT
REPLACEMENT PATIENT
ADULTS WITH
ARTHRITIS
HAVE SEVERE
JOINT PAIN*
54 MILLION
ADULTS HAVE ARTHRITIS*
#1
CAUSE OF
DISABILITY
AMONG ADULTS
IS ARTHRITIS*
* https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/pain/index.htm