Injury: In 2004, Donna was hanging from a zip line attached to her son’s tree house when she fell in her bare feet onto some tools lying on the ground, shattering her leg, ankle and foot. She had surgery that year which included the insertion of 16 pins and two plates into her leg and ankle. After three years and extensive physical therapy, Donna was still in extreme pain. She had a second operation in 2007 to clean up the arthritis and reduce the pain. After the surgery, she was in a walking boot then did physical therapy for months, but to no avail. Her foot was so painful she could not get out of the car to get gas. When she came home from a day of teaching, her son had to literally carry her from her car into the house and place her in a chair. She could not leave the house. In tears, Donna was not able to walk and could barely work.
Procedure: Donna’s husband did hours of online research before discovering Dr. Sammarco. Donna came to see Dr. Sammarco in 2012 and was immediately at ease with his calm style and willingness to offer a plan to eliminate the pain. After careful consideration, Dr. Sammarco decided that ankle replacement surgery was necessary. In March of 2012, the surgery was performed. Donna was in a cast for two-three weeks after surgery, then a walking boot for a total of 3 months. She participated in physical therapy for four months and was fully recovered when she was released from therapy.
Amazing Comeback: The week she was released, Donna’s family took her on a beach vacation because for the first time in years she was able to walk unassisted. In Donna’s own words, “The results were truly amazing. I walk everywhere, hike, bike and stroll on the beach with no pain. There is nothing I can’t do now. I have my life back because of Dr. Sammarco; he is truly a fantastic surgeon and a wonderful man. I am blessed thanks to Dr. Sammarco!”