Maggie Kuhn of Rocky Point had always been active while living in Alaska – skiing, skating, riding horses. But over time she developed arthritis in both hips that made even everyday tasks painful.
“I ride horses a lot. I couldn’t ride and that was when I noticed something was wrong. I was struggling in pain for about two years. Sitting hurt. Standing hurt. Walking hurt. So, it affected my life with just about everything. Getting in and out of my car after sitting and driving was extremely painful, so I knew I needed to go get X-rays and speak to an orthopedic surgeon.”
After relocating to Long Island three years ago to be close to her daughter and granddaughter, she got her wildlife rehabilitation license and began working at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays. “We take in all kinds of animals and rehab them for release back into wild,” said Ms. Kuhn, 68. But as her pain worsened, she could no longer work at the wildlife center. She began researching orthopedic surgeons and chose Mather Hospital’s Michael Fracchia, MD, director of orthopedic surgery, who practices with Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group in Port Jefferson.
“I liked Dr. Fracchia because when I looked him up and read about him, I learned that he’s done so many things. His background is extensive. He did bilateral X-rays, and it was determined at that time that I did have pretty severe osteoarthritis in both of my hips.”
“I had my hip surgeries one week apart. As soon as you come out of the surgery, you don’t have the pain you had before. It’s really a miracle. The alternative would be to end up in a wheelchair.”
“I wanted to be in really good shape for the surgery. I was going to gym and working a couple of days a week right up until my surgery although I was dealing with pain through all of it. I only used a walker for about a week. I was doing stairs the first day. Within two weeks I was walking without much assistance.”
Ms. Kuhn said she did her physical therapy at Mather and was cleared to just train at her gym. “I was driving after four weeks and went back to work as a volunteer rehabilitator in the Education Department at Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center after six weeks. It is a blessing to live without constant pain.
“My experience at Mather was amazing. From when you walk in the door, the guy who takes your car, the gentleman who checks you in. I was in awe of how everybody treated me. Jen (Flanagan, RN, orthopedic coordinator) and Darlene (Mcday, NP, orthopedic navigator) gave me their cell phone numbers. It makes such a huge difference to have the support system. Dr. Fracchia and his PA and the nursing staff were amazing.”