Over time, joints – where cartilage connects two bones – can break down and cause pain, limiting your ability to enjoy an active lifestyle. If you find your mobility has been impacted by diseased or damaged joints, UHS is here to provide the expert, patient-centered care you need to ease your pain and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.
At our newly expanded Joint Replacement program at UHS, our trusted physicians are here to provide you with care when you need it most. For one UHS patient, an emergency injury led to an immediate need for expert care and an inspiring journey of recovery and resilience.
Restored mobility, renewed confidence – Lisa Reitz’s journey
In February, Lisa Reitz of Binghamton, NY was walking her dog early one morning when she slipped and fell on a patch of ice. While she did not immediately feel a great deal of pain, when she tried to get back up, she found she could not move her right leg. Immediately, she called an ambulance.
When the ambulance arrived, Ms. Reitz requested to be taken to UHS Binghamton General Hospital (BGH), where she has worked for nearly forty years. “I recognize so many friendly faces at BGH, I just knew I would be in good hands,” Ms. Reitz said.
In the Emergency Department, an X-ray revealed a fractured right hip. Her case was further complicated by a prior injury from a car accident when she was 19 years old, which broke her pelvis in five places and left her legs slightly misaligned.
Ms. Reitz was evaluated by Tram Tran, PA, of the UHS Orthopedic Center, who told her that she would need a full hip replacement. Fortunately, UHS Orthopedic Surgeon Benjamin Villacres Mori, MD, was already at the hospital that day performing two other procedures. He added Ms. Reitz to the schedule, and she was taken to the Operating Room that afternoon.
Dr. Mori emphasized the urgency of treating hip fractures, which can become life-threatening if surgery isn’t done promptly. “My goal with every patient is to provide the treatment they need to get them up and moving as fast as possible,” Dr. Mori said. “In Ms. Reitz’s case, our team worked quickly to get her into surgery that same day, and I’m very pleased with her outcome.”
Ms. Reitz recounted that the procedure went smoothly; when she awoke from the anesthesia, Dr. Mori told her that she now had a titanium hip. She spoke highly of her care experience at UHS Binghamton General Hospital, from the Emergency Department to the Operating Room to her recovery on Memorial 6.
“Every single person involved in my care did an amazing job,” Ms. Reitz shared. “From the minute I arrived, they were so compassionate and explained everything to me in detail.”
The following day, Ms. Reitz began her physical therapy, practicing stairs and getting around with a walker. After returning home, Ms. Reitz continued her recovery with regular visits from UHS Home Care physical therapists.
The exercises made a world of difference as she regained strength and mobility. At her follow-up appointments, Dr. Mori was impressed by her progress – reaching milestones, such as being able to drive again, several weeks ahead of the anticipated timeline.
“When I was told in the ER that I needed a hip replacement, I was devastated,” Ms. Reitz said. “But with the support of my care team, the recovery was easier than I expected and pain free. I’m amazed at how quickly UHS got me back on my feet.”
Reflecting on the speed of Ms. Reitz’s recovery, Dr. Mori shared that she also benefitted from a minimally invasive, muscle-sparing surgical approach. Rather than cutting through muscle, this technique works between the muscles, providing a decreased dislocation risk and quicker recovery time for patients.
While Dr. Mori originally informed her that she could be out of work for up to twelve weeks – which came as a shock to Ms. Reitz – the progress she made in her recovery was so remarkable that she was able to return to work in half that time. After initially using a cane, Ms. Reitz quickly regained strength to walk without assistance.
Today, Ms. Reitz is back to walking her dog every morning. While she reported some initial feelings of nervousness getting back out, she soon rebuilt her level of comfort. Now, she is back on her feet with not only a new hip, but restored strength and confidence.
Specialized care that puts the patient first
Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Reitz felt every facet of her care experience was excellent. “I would absolutely recommend Dr. Mori and UHS Orthopedics,” Ms. Reitz shared. “I have two friends who need hip replacements, and I’ve told them they don’t need to look anywhere else.”
Patients who choose UHS for joint replacement can expect to receive patient-centered care from an expert in the field. “I’m well-versed in all the latest techniques and philosophies behind joint replacement surgery,” Dr. Mori said. “Our team is committed to doing everything the right way to provide the best possible result for all patients, including coordinating with other providers to ensure a patient’s care is aligned and optimized.”
Dr. Mori added that UHS is uniquely capable of caring for a wide array of patient needs. “The specialists at UHS have such a breadth of knowledge that we can treat everything ranging from routine procedures to more complex conditions,” Dr. Mori said. “That commitment to excellence is what truly sets UHS apart.”
At UHS, our orthopedic surgeons perform arthroplasty procedures to restore function and reduce pain caused by diseased or damaged hip, knee, or shoulder joints. To learn more about joint replacement at UHS, click here.