As a customer service and sales manager at Premier Health & Fitness Center (Premier), Theresa Trainor is always on her feet. In addition to her career, Theresa spends her personal time at the gym, where she enjoys working out, especially spinning in Premier’s high-intensity cycle classes. Nothing could stop Theresa from her two-a-days, that is until she experienced radiating leg pain so intense she couldn’t walk up the stairs, much less jump back in the saddle.
After discussing with David Oberste, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), while he was working out at Premier, Theresa decided to schedule an appointment with him at Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic.
During her first appointment, she received a steroid injection and was immediately relieved of debilitating pain in her right leg. She returned a few months later for her second injection, but this time the pain returned fast and furious. An X-ray showed Theresa’s hip had bone-on-bone contact and she would need total hip replacement surgery.
In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Theresa, like many people, was nervous about going to the hospital and having surgery.
“I was worried about the virus, but the pain had gotten so bad that it was affecting my quality of life,” said Theresa.
Before even scheduling her surgery, Theresa was tested for COVID-19 and received a negative result. This is a critical safety measure that TMH requires for all surgery patients to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect colleagues, patients and visitors within the hospital’s walls.
On the morning of August 5, Theresa’s husband dropped her off at the M.T. Mustian Center, Tallahassee Memorial’s state-of-the-art surgical center, for single day total hip replacement surgery with Dr. Oberste.
Upon arrival, her concerns of getting COVID-19 were immediately alleviated. Theresa saw protective face masks being worn by the entire staff within the M.T. Mustian Center, both clinical and non-clinical, including colleagues from transportation, guest services, dietary and environmental services.
Physicians and nurses were using appropriate personal protective equipment, and Theresa – like all patients – was given a mask, had her temperature taken and was asked a series of screening questions when she entered the facility.
“Even during a time of uncertainty, it really was a great experience,” shared Theresa. “The M.T. Mustian Center was so beautiful and clean; the nurses were amazing and made me feel at ease. Dr. Oberste was professional and personable, and the therapists had me up and walking immediately after the surgery, so I could go home the same day.”
That very evening, Theresa was discharged, and her husband picked her up and took her home.
“There are many benefits of single day total joint replacement surgery,” explained Dr. Oberste. “This includes faster, more aggressive physical therapy in the comfort of the patient’s home.”
With the help of her physical therapist, Theresa was able to walk to the mailbox, up the stairs and around her house within the first few days of recovery. In just two and a half weeks, she returned to work and began outpatient physical therapy at Tallahassee Memorial’s Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, conveniently located directly behind Premier. On September 15, after only three visits, she completed her physical therapy sessions.
Now that Theresa’s on the road to a full recovery, she’s looking forward to returning to an active lifestyle, going on long walks and riding bikes with her three grandchildren, and participating in Gourdy’s (virtual) Pumpkin Run with Premier’s Certified Personal Trainer, and Theresa’s best friend, Toni Poole.
“I wish I would have done it sooner. If you’re thinking about total hip replacement surgery, but you’re putting off or don’t think it’s safe to go to the hospital, don’t wait and consult with your physician,” said Theresa. “Dr. Oberste told me I would feel so much better after having my surgery and I most certainly do.”
