RWJBarnabas Health Celebrates Orthopedic Success Stories on National You Only Live Once Day

RWJBarnabas Health is celebrating National You Only Live Once Day by sharing stories of patients who have been able to get back to doing what they enjoy following joint replacement or spine surgery, from golfing and swimming to dancing and gardening. The stories will be shared throughout the day on the system's social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram, and at www.rwjbh.org/yolo.

Among those is Dwight Lewis of Trenton, who was cycling 50 miles around Cozumel, Mexico two months after having knee replacement surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. In the year since his surgery by orthopedic surgeon Michael Duch, MD of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, he's returned to the ski slopes and gone scuba diving in Fiji. The active 71-year old also enjoys walking, swimming and yoga.

Robert Bruce of Jersey City says having hip replacement surgery is "the best thing that ever happened to me."

The professional truck driver has returned to work and enjoys eating out and dancing with his wife after two anterior hip replacement surgeries at Jersey City Medical Center performed by orthopedic Richard Yoon, MD of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group.

"I can do everything I want to do - even on the dance floor," he says.

Even though she had summers off as a school kitchen aide, Deborah Cogill's knee pain limited her ability to fully take advantage of her free time.

This summer is different. The Brick mother of two had her second knee replacement surgery at Monmouth Medical Center last year with Joel Fechisin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with partner practice Seaview Orthopaedics. On her bucket list this summer: a trip to Yankees stadium to see her favorite player, Aaron Judge; an outing to an animal sanctuary and antiquing.

"I should have done this a long time ago," Deborah says.

Marty Salowey of North Plainfield enjoys tending to his backyard garden, which includes lemon and fig trees, cactus and basil plants. But that was too painful with an aching arthritic knee.

Salowey made the decision to have his second knee replacement surgery last fall at RWJUH Somerset by orthopedic surgeon Stephen Kayiaros, MD and is now back to gardening without pain.

"You only live once and you have to make the most of it," he said.

RWJBarnabas Health offers comprehensive orthopedic services for adults and children to help manage conditions caused by arthritis, degenerative joint disease, injuries, congenital issues and general wear and tear. Orthopedic services offered at its acute care, ambulatory care and rehabilitation facilities throughout New Jersey include emergency care, diagnostic testing, surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation services. Surgical options for total knee and hip replacement surgery include robotic surgery, "smart" knee implants and anterior hip replacement surgery. RWJBarnabas Health also offers minimally invasive spine surgical options, including robotic spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery.

For more information about orthopedic services offered at RWJBarnabas Health, visit www.rwjbh.org/yolo.