Difference Between Providing Care and Managing Care: Arlene H’s Story
I am a retired nurse clinical specialist with over 50 years of experience in health care including three years teaching at the College of Nursing at U…
Back to A New Normal After Ski Accident: Peter’s Story
Vacations are a great opportunity to have fun and create new memories. Unfortunately, Peter McKernan’s memory of a family ski trip in Park City, Utah,…
Running Again After an Achilles Tear, Arthritis and PDS: Regina’s Story
Two years ago, Dr. Solway surgically repaired my Achilles that was torn while marathon training. I saw him this summer and again a week ago for pain i…
Knee Replacement Then vs. Now, 13 Years Apart: Linda G’s Story
Night and day. That’s how Linda Gordon compares her left and right knee replacement surgeries that were performed 13 years apart from each other, by A…
Journey through Knee Replacement: Gene’s Story
Extremely pleased with my surgery, after diagnosis and commitment to have total knee replacement, I began my journey with IBJI educational information…
Winning Marathons After My Hip Arthroscopy and Labrum Repair: Jack’s Story
I am a competitive amateur marathon runner who had completed 21 marathons prior to my injury. I began having muscle pain in my stomach and groin area…
Davina’s OrthoHealth Patient Story
Davina is thankful for IBJI and the OrthoHealth program. She lost 52 pounds and no longer takes pain medication. Watch her video to learn more.
Traveling Again Without Hip Pain: Jean B’s Story
Dr. Peter Thadani gave me back my active life! My hip discomfort began twenty years ago, and by 2017, the pain had become so severe that I had given u…
From Excruciating Pain to Zumba: Lynn’s Story
By the last month before a total hip replacement, in order to get up from a sitting position without a cane, I had to put my weight on my hands flat o…
Hand Surgery Without Any Scars: David F’s Story
Dr. Williams is a PHENOMENAL hand surgeon. I had to have two operations 11 months apart. His work was brilliant, perfect, and I have NO scarring at al…
HPI Allowed Me to Walk Again Without Pain: Mike E’s Story
Since 2016, three sets of initials have made a great positive impact on my physical health and my mental outlook: IBJI, OHP, and HPI. While I had been…
20-Year-Old Athlete Back in the Game After Ankle Tissue Graft: Hannah’s Story
Dr. Vora is a spectacular doctor who wants to do what is right by the patient, not the practice. I had two previous ankle surgeries at RUSH, however,…
Enjoyed a Three Week Bicycle Trip Without Back Pain: Jim’s Story
Recently I hurt my back for the first time. Waking up the next morning, I was in great pain, and almost unable to move. This was also 3 days before…
Knee Revision Eliminates Chronic Pain: Margaret’s Story
In March of 2017 I had my knee replaced. For over a year I suffered with chronic pain/swelling of my leg and burning. I had three other surgeries and…
Effective Knee Care Leads to Enjoyable Retirement: Kim’s Story
My name is Kim Davila, patient for Dr. Joseph D’Silva, MD. I have been under his care for over five years for my knee. I am now able to exercise, take…
Getting Back to Normal After Shoulder Surgery: Steve & Evangeline’s Story
Life was never easy especially if you have a congenital shoulder dislocation. My husband went through this multiple times. He needed surgery. We heard…
OrthoHealth Changed My Life: Deb’s Story
I would like to share my story on how the OrthoHealth Program at IBJI has changed my life. My story begins early December 2016. I was having pains in…
Jumping Back to Activity With My Repaired Achilles: Erich’s Story
I ruptured my Achilles in mid January (mid-substance tear). Dr Vora repaired the rupture with sutures within a week. From my personal experience and a…
Knee Reconstruction Got Me Back to Biking: Christopher’s Story
One evening in early February, my wife and I were headed to our seats in Welsh-Ryan Arena at Northwestern University to watch a basketball game. As I…
OrthoHealth Program Tailored to My Changing Needs: Georgianne’s Story
I came to IBJI for PT for knee pain. Annette Egel and Stephanie Fitch were my physical therapists. Annette discovered that the pain in my knees was ac…
Reclaiming My Life Back from Spondylolisthesis: Debra’s Story
Like many people, Debra Stewart had lived with back pain for years. Several of her vertebrae were starting to compress, causing occasional discomfort…
OrthoHealth Supported Me to Make Better Health Decisions: Cynthia’s Story
I had terrible shoulder pain and could no longer ignore it. X-rays and an MRI revealed advanced osteoarthritis in my shoulder that would require the r…
Shoulder Mess to Shoulder Success: Howard’s Story
Howard Weil was hitting tennis balls with a friend when the shoulder pain that had been bothering him grew so intense that tears started streaming dow…
Baby Born with Four Legs and Two Spines is Thriving After Complex Surgery: Dominique’s Story
A 10-month-old girl who was born with four legs and two spines is doing remarkably well following a complex surgery that took place on March 8. IBJI’s…
Healed Shattered Elbow Allows Me to Conduct Choir: Paul’s Story
Paul Caldwell was returning home one evening last spring when a reckless driver nearly ended his life. As Paul crossed Sheridan Road on Chicago’s far…
Game Changing Total Ankle Replacement: Russ’s Story
I have been physically active practically all my life. My main love was swimming. I was a high school and college swimmer, physical education major an…
Free From Excruciating Sciatica Pain: Susan’s Story
I could barely walk and I was crying when I walked in IBJI. Asked to see a doctor and Dr. Brian Clay treated me over a period of several months. He wa…
Spine Surgery Catered to My Mother’s Needs: Lynne’s Story
Last March, my mother saw Dr. Mikhael for fractures in the C1 and C2 regions. She was told she needed surgery. Of course, being 89 years old, both she…
Minimally Invasive Hip Procedure Makes Hip Replacement a Breeze: Mary’s Story
Dear Dr. Beigler, This Thanksgiving season I count you and your extended team among my many blessings. You have made a tremendous difference in my lif…
Knee Replacement Allowed Me to Live a Productive Life: Jeffery’s Story
Simple story, I was young and dumb running 18 marathons since 1991 until 2004 finishing 15 of them. The knee pain started long before the last maratho…
Now I Have the Best Tennis Knees: Lynne’s Story
I had bilateral knee replacement in May, 2011. Went to rehab for 3 1/2 weeks and really worked hard there. After not playing tennis for almost 3 years…
No More Knee Pain When Standing in the Check-Out Line: Joyce’s Story
Both knees replaced. Best thing I ever had done. Can walk and resume my normal activities. No pain, resumed gardening, exercising, vacation. Prior to…
Spine Surgery Relieved Pain and Discomfort: Teddie’s Story
Within 2-3 weeks the pain and discomfort were gone. On a personal note — his bed side manner of caring gave me the confidence to get the surgery don…
Training Harder and Better With My Hip and Knee Replacement: David’s Story
From the age of 10 I have literally been playing tennis, training and working on my legs to prepare me for a lifetime of professional sports. From run…
Walking on My Own Two Feet: Pat’s Story
In July of 2009 I was in a motor vehicle accident. My left lower leg and ankle were crushed. Thanks to Dr. Matt Jimenez and Dr. Steven Haddad, today I…
Played More Than 50 Rounds of Golf After Shoulder Therapy: Ross’s Story
Dr. Sherman determined that I had a 90% tear in my left shoulder. My concern was my golf game! As a 10 handicap golfer, I did not want to miss an enti…
Critical Pelvis Injury Didn’t Stop Mom from Starting a Family: Mandi’s Story
Mandi Fier was 23 years old when she and her fiancé were in a near fatal car accident. First responders on the scene used the “Jaws of Life” to extric…
Skiing Like an Olympian Thanks to Total Ankle Replacement: Cathy’s Story
In early 1964, Cathy Smithers was an aspiring Olympian, skiing the slopes of Vermont with a close-knit group of friends who trained together. Her spec…
Old Injury Treated to Give New Quality of Life: Dan’s Story
For more than 40 years, Grayslake resident Dan Chesman, 63, struggled with residual pain from a severe ankle injury he suffered in a toboggan accident…
Shoulder Care Leads to Successful Football Career: Tom’s Story
In 2013, Tom Sora was headed for a distinguished college football career. The high school senior was defensive captain of his team at Notre Dame Colle…
Firefighter Rescues Man From Building on Repaired Hip: Joe’s Story
Joe Simz, 45, feels he “won the lottery” becoming a Chicago firefighter/EMT. After taking the qualifying exam in the mid-90’s and hearing nothing back…
Hip Replacement Helped Me Get Back to Golf and Tennis: Paula’s Story
The Hoffman Estates resident plays competitive tennis several times a week. She hits the slopes with her family every winter and spring on visits with…
Hip Degeneration Solved by Joint Replacement: Stella’s Story
For years, Stella Housakos, 86, and her husband split their time between sunny Florida and a home in north suburban Chicago. Stella loved the mile-lon…
Hiking, Rafting and Canoeing Without Hip Pain: Lonnie’s Story
Lonnie Smith, 71, is a man of action. For 22 years, he’d worked as a paramedic and fireman. He enjoyed outdoor activities and liked to build and repai…
Elbow and Shoulder Pain Caused by Narrowing of Spine’s Cervical Discs: Jesse’s Story
The full-blown pain Jesse Manarang lived with for two years began gradually. It started in his early 40’s, with tingling and numbness in the index, m…
Trekking Through the Himalayas on My New Ankle: Gregg’s Story
Gregg Rappe was on his way to high school football practice back in 1973 when a car ran a stop sign and broadsided the motorcycle he was riding. He su…
18 Year Old Receives Surgery for Herniated Disc: Sarah’s Story
After dealing with severe sciatic pain down my left leg for about a month, I decided to visit Dr. Regan. He told me that I had classic symptoms of sci…
Hip and Toe Pain Resolved: Gretchen’s Story
Gretchen Jacobs, 55, was starting over. She had two kids in college and had just moved to Chicago from the suburbs. Gretchen knew the bone and joint c…
Training and Competing Thanks to Ankle Surgery: Ashlee’s Story
Ashlee, 37, has to be able to run – fast – on dirt, grass, and artificial turf, even if it’s wet and slippery. She has to start in quick bursts, pivot…
Dancing Beautifully from Ankle Ligament Reconstruction: Jade’s Story
Jade Ortiz, 17, has been dancing as long as she remembers. She performed in the Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite at age 12 and competes all over the…
Mobile 48 Hours After Anterior Hip Replacement: Vija’s Story
Vija Navarro, 65, is singing the praises of her doctor and his team. Vija has a new right hip and knee thanks to IBJI and her surgeon, Peter Thadani,…
Regaining Abilities Using Elbow: Ned’s Story
These are the words of a grateful mother for the exceptional orthopedic care received for her son Ned Bryant. Ned was severely injured in a playground…