The Wear and Tear of Osteoarthritis

As a longtime registered nurse and office manager of a busy orthopedic office, the majority of Jennifer Mitchell’s day is spent on her feet coordinating the daily needs of Fairfield Healthcare Professionals Orthopedics and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Over time, the physical demands of Jennifer’s job began to take a toll on her body, and she developed severe osteoarthritis in her knees, a common type of arthritis that causes joint pain and stiffness.

Jennifer’s pain affected not only her ability to do her job, but also her hobbies. An avid gardener, she started having difficulty kneeling to take care of her flowerbeds. In the summer, her family’s pool became inaccessible because she couldn’t climb up or go down the ladder. Walking around at Walt Disney World, where her son works, and up the gymnasium bleachers to watch her daughter play volleyball were complicated by the discomfort and instability she was feeling.

“It was hard for me to walk long distances, and I would struggle to stand for long periods of time,” said Jennifer, 59, of Lancaster. “I would have to take breaks and sit.”

Factors that might contribute to the development of the degenerative joint disease include age, joint injury, overuse of the joint and more. In 2023, Jennifer met with Nikki Sabatina, DO, of FHP Orthopedics and PMR, after her right knee started giving out from underneath her.

“After Dr. Sabatina examined my knee, she was shocked and couldn’t believe that I was walking around and not complaining about the pain that I had suffered from for years,” Jennifer said.

Dr. Sabatina performed X-rays on Jennifer’s knees and recommended viscosupplementation injections, or gel shots, in both of her knees to alleviate the osteoarthritis pain. These shots work by injecting gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid into the joint to act as a lubricant to restore smooth movement of the cartilage, reducing pain.

While the gel shots worked to ease the pain for about a year and a half, Jennifer started to notice less relief over time. Dr. Sabatina explained that when nonsurgical treatments do not work as well, it might be time to consider surgical options. This prompted Jennifer to discuss total joint replacement with orthopedic surgeon Juan Santiago, MD, of FHP Orthopedics and PMR.

“Jennifer came to see me with significant pain and limited range of motion in her knee, and I conducted a thorough physical examination and X-rays to assess the extent of the osteoarthritis,” Dr. Santiago explained. “After we discussed the range of the non-operative care she had undergone previously, Jennifer decided the time was right to proceed with surgery.”

Dr. Santiago performed Jennifer’s total knee replacement on Dec. 10, 2024. The staff talked her through each step in the pre-operation process, ensuring she was informed and comfortable.

“A knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components, and I focused on providing her with anatomic alignment and minimizing soft tissue damage to optimize the outcome,” Dr. Santiago said.

After the surgery, FMC’s physical and occupational therapy teams were at her bedside to provide guidance on post-operative exercises to kickstart her recovery. Just two days after post-op, after being discharged and spending one night at home, Jennifer began physical therapy at FMC’s River Valley Campus. She credits the therapy team with giving her the confidence to push through any discomfort and continue to recover.

“My biggest advice is do what your doctor and your therapy team tell you to do. I followed exactly what they instructed me to do, even at home, and I’ve had such a successful outcome,” said Jennifer, who was able to return to work in just six weeks.

Now well on her way through recovery of her right knee, Jennifer is preparing to have her left knee replaced within the next year. When that time comes, she knows the team at FHP Orthopedics and PM&R will be the ones to take care of her.

“I felt comfortable with Dr. Santiago doing my surgery. I see his caring demeanor and attention to detail with all his patients,” Jennifer said. “The entire staff at FMC lives by the same culture and really care about their patients. You’re never just a number when you receive care here.”