“Where’s the patient?” the physical therapist greeted me outside my home on the Thursday afternoon after the Monday morning I had my Total Hip Replacement [THR] performed at HSS. After our half-hour PT session, he commented that in 20 years, he had not seen such a rapid recovery from this operation.
I told the therapist the credit belongs to the Hospital for Special Surgery, primarily to surgeon Elizabeth B. Gausden, and to all those involved pre-operatively and post-operatively.
My May 24, 2021, operation, by Dr. Gausden et al., was very successful, as demonstrated by my rapid recovery and minimal pain. Dr. Gausden’s pre-op and post-op conversations with me were informative and reassuring; the nurses were skilled, caring, and trustworthy; my concerns were addressed by HSS personnel intelligently. The educational literature was clear and helpful. Pain management by Dr. Kahn et al. was successful. I came off opioids in a few days and managed residual soreness with OTC meds.
From the staff managing the entrance on my arrival to HSS to the nurses on the floor managing my departure the day after the surgery, an emphasis on quality, courtesy, and compassion was evident.
Even the food service excelled. That Tuesday, as I looked over the choices I
would have had for dinner entrees that evening, I only half-joked that maybe
I’d stay a bit longer so as not to miss that meal.
Within a week, I could walk my dog a half-mile, climb stairs, and drive my car, all with little or no pain. Success!
Thanks, HSS.
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