Hip Replacement Puts This Lincoln Woman Back Into “Grandma” Action

Hip pain prevented Margie Sheley, 63, from attending Lincoln Railer basketball games because it was too uncomfortable to sit in the bleachers. She stopped going to the Illinois State Fair. The kicker was not being able to get on the floor and play with her three grandkids.

She scheduled a hip replacement through Memorial’s JointWorks program. She started rehabilitation the Monday after her surgery with Springfield Clinic’s Tomasz Borowiecki, MD. Being able to go to physical therapy regularly at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital (ALMH) was an added bonus.

“I would do it all over again; I would not hesitate,” the Lincoln native said of having the hip replacement. “The pain had gotten to the point where I had to do something, and I was way past the relief the shots could give.”

As part of the JointWorks program, Margie attended a pre-surgery class where she learned how to walk with a cane and how to use a walker. She also worked with physical therapy to gain strength ahead of the surgery, climbing stairs and working with bands to build up strength in her leg.

After the surgery, Margie worked hard. Amy Knox, lead physical therapist at ALMH, gave her high marks for her effort.

“Margie was a joy to work with,” Knox said. “She maintained a positive attitude and was engaged in the rehab process from start to finish. She worked diligently on her home exercise program and used her desire to return to work, caring for grandkids and her sewing hobby as motivation.”

Today, Margie can walk and stand for longer periods of time. Her hour-long commute to work is not a painful daily challenge any longer. Best part? She can spend time playing with her young grandchildren without hip pain. And she hopes to join Railer fans in the gym this winter during basketball season.

She encourages others to take the first step and gather more information about the process.

“Give it a chance,” she said. “Everyone’s different. Don’t just ignore the symptoms. I let mine go on for too long. You might be surprised at how much the physical therapy helps.”