Patient Stories
Susanne Mosley: REclaiming an Active Life After Complex Hip Replacement
Susanne Mosley has been coping with the aftereffects of an accident for most of her life. She was hit by a drunk driver at the age of 12, which resulted in significant injuries to the right side of her body. Despite the challenges that followed, Susanne has never let the accident define what was possible for her—a mindset her sister encouraged from the start by helping her see beyond the limitations of her injuries and challenging her to stay active.
“I’ve had surgeries over the years, but I always adapted,” Susanne explained. “I participated in sports and weightlift—no problems.”
Chronic Pain Development from Past Injuries
About two years ago, Susanne began experiencing intense pain in her lower back that she chalked up to sciatica. Unlike similar pain she had before, this pain persisted and began impeding her active lifestyle. Susanne noticed she was unable to keep up during routine workouts or make a full rotation on her recumbent bike. As always, her sister recognized the limitations and urged Susanne to seek treatment.
“Pain in my rear end was unbelievable,” she remembered. “And my sister kept telling me ‘you need a hip replacement,’ so I finally went to see a doctor.”
The Challenges of a Complex Case
No stranger to surgery, Susanne went into the first appointments mentally prepared for how they were going to go. After a routine scan, she went back for a follow-up appointment to go over the results and was surprised to learn that the doctor declined to move forward with treatment.
“I just assumed they were going to schedule surgery, but [the doctor] said he couldn’t help me because I’m high risk and need to see a trauma surgeon,” she revealed. “Since my pelvis was really bad, and I was missing part of my ball and socket, he couldn’t assume the risk”
Susanne was referred to a couple other orthopedic practices that offered trauma care.
“That shocked me because I thought it was going to be an easy fix,” she shared. “So, I went from doctor to doctor.”
The doctor at one clinic was intent on pursuing a surgical technique that Susanne was not comfortable with, and appointments were booked several months out at the other clinic.
Specialized Care at OrthoIllinois
While waiting for her appointment scheduled in the fallwith a non-OrthoIllinois physician, Susanne and her family were introduced to OrthoIllinois. A family member saw Dr. Anthony Logli for a wrist issue, and while there, inquired about providers that specialized in hip replacements. With appointments available within weeks rather than months, Susanne made an appointment to see Dr. Michael Harvey in early spring.
“I loved him immediately,” she remarked. “He told me everything—all my obstacles. He said that it was going to be challenging, but he was really confident that he could help me.”
Dr. Harvey’s confidence, transparency, and positivity reassured Susanne. He discussed in detail the extent of her condition and his approach to treatment. Naturally, Susanne had questions, and Dr. Harvey addressed all of them.
“He answered all my questions,” she recalled. “I had a lot of ‘what ifs,’ and he just put me at ease. I said, ‘How soon can we schedule it?’ I didn’t even think about it after I met him. I was so comfortable. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
She received a call the day after her appointment to schedule surgery, pleasantly surprised and grateful for how quickly she could move forward with treatment.
Complex Hip Replacement
Leading up to surgery, Susanne received regular phone calls and emails from her OrthoIllinois care team to ensure she was prepared for the procedure and to answer any questions along the way. The support continued on the day of surgery, when Dr. Harvey took time to go over everything once again and reassure Susanne before performing a complex posterior right total hip arthroplasty.
Expecting to be on crutches for six weeks as initially planned, Susanne was astounded when rehabilitation therapists asked her to stand and walk just a few hours after surgery. Her recovery continued at home with rehabilitation, where therapists helped her navigate her home safely as she regained mobility.
“Physical therapy was set up to come to my house for five days,” she shared. “They were great and really pushed me. I have a two-story house, and [the therapist] wanted me to make sure I could get up and down stairs, get in and out of the shower, get in and out of bed.”
Restoring Full Mobility
Regular physical therapy appointments at OrthoIllinois followed. Her rehabilitation team tailored treatment to her individual goals and incorporated movements she was already familiar with from her workouts.
“They know I lift weights, so once I was able to, they had me on the leg press and doing squats.” She noted. “They really tried to get my function to where I needed to be.”
Just as her care team had been there to support and communicate with her leading up to surgery, they continued that same level of care throughout her recovery, making sure she felt supported every step of the way.
“They were always in communication with me somehow—whether by email, call, or appointment,” she explained. “I never felt like they did the surgery and then cut me loose.”
While progressing through her rehabilitation treatment plan, Susanne received a reminder call from the other clinic about her upcoming appointment. By then, she was already recovering from surgery and making progress in therapy.
“I completely forgot to cancel with them because it was so far out, and I had already had the surgery and was walking,” she exclaimed.
Susanne’s dedication to therapy and determination began to pay off just weeks after surgery when she was able to take an extended walk outside on her own.
“My first day out, I did three miles, and I’ve been walking three miles a day ever since,” she reported.
Recognizing Exceptional Patient Care
Susanne attributes her successful recovery to her care team, particularly Dr. Harvey.
“He really did change my life because I cannot imagine where I would be today had I not found him,” she revealed.
Having encountered several orthopedic clinics in the aftermath of her accident and leading up to her hip replacement, she feels her care at OrthoIllinois was truly unique.
“I’ve never been to an office like OrthoIllinois,” she noted. “I felt so heard. Everybody seems like they care, and everyone is so nice. I just have such confidence in OrthoIllinois that I wouldn’t really go anywhere else, and I recommend OrthoIllinois constantly to anybody who asks.”
Regaining Mobility and Confidence: Marcy’s Journey with OrthoIllinois
The first time Marcy got back on her bike, she couldn’t stop smiling. After years of hip and knee pain, the simple joy of pedaling around her neighborhood felt like freedom. For the grandmother and retired nurse, it wasn’t just about riding again. It was about keeping up with her grandsons, walking without pain, and reclaiming the active life she thought she’d lost.
“I had my first hip replacement at just 35,” Marcy shared. “Later, after a hip revision surgery, I dislocated my hip nine times. By then, I couldn’t find an orthopedic specialist willing to take on such a complex case. It was horrible.”
That changed when she was referred to Dr. Harvey at OrthoIllinois.
Finding Hope in the Right Hands
Friends had already spoken highly of OrthoIllinois, and after reading about Dr. Harvey’s background, Marcy decided to make an appointment.
“I really couldn’t be happier,” she said. “Dr. Harvey is the real deal – he’s amazing. Every single experience I’ve had at OrthoIllinois has been positive.”
From the moment she walked in, she noticed a difference. The check-in process was quick, the X-rays were done immediately, and she never felt like just another patient.
“Everyone is so professional, and you can tell they all work well together. It was a relief to feel the positive energy and supportive environment.”
A Turning Point: The Surgery That Changed Everything
In October 2024, Dr. Harvey performed Marcy’s right hip procedure. Almost immediately, Marcy noticed an incredible change. The chronic back pain, something she had dealt with for years, was gone.
During physical therapy, however, her knee pain grew worse. Dr. Harvey helped her through the next step, and in May, she had a knee replacement at the OrthoIllinois Surgery Center.
“For the first time in a very long time, I feel back to normal,” Marcy said.
Life Restored: Moving Without Limits
The difference in her daily life has been dramatic. Marcy can now walk without pain, play on the floor with her grandsons and get back up with ease. She climbs stairs confidently, enjoys exercising at the gym, and something she’s especially proud of, rides her bike again. “I can walk around the block, go on vacation, and just live my life again,” she said. “For decades, I couldn’t move correctly, and now I finally can. It’s incredible.”
Strength in Motion: The Power of PT
Marcy has stayed committed to physical therapy to regain strength and ensure long-term success.
“A lot of people stop PT once they start feeling better, but I’ve stayed consistent. As a nurse and with my daughter being a physical therapist, I know how important it is. I’ve built so much strength, and I can see my gait improving every week.”
Marcy’s Words of Wisdom
Marcy often shares her story with friends and neighbors who are dealing with joint pain or considering surgery. Her message is simple and heartfelt:
“If you’re considering surgery, you’ll know when the time is right. And when it is, this is the place to go. Dr. Harvey is down-to-earth, explains everything clearly, and the staff makes you feel completely supported. If the other doctors are anything like Dr. Harvey, you’re in excellent hands.”
A New Chapter, A New Life
Today, after undergoing both revision hip replacement and primary knee replacement with Dr. Harvey, Marcy is living the active life she thought she’d lost. She’s walking with ease, enjoying time with her family, riding her bike, and embracing new experiences.
“For the first time in years, I feel normal,” she said. “I can move, I can play, I can live. That’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.”
Read more about Marcy’s Journey → https://www.orthoillinois.com/find-a-provider/orthopedic-surgeon-dr-michael-harvey/patient-stories/regaining-mobility-and-confidence-marcys-journey-with-orthoillinois/
Gregory’s Hip Replacement Journey: From Pain to Power
Just get it done. You won’t have any regrets.”
That’s the advice Gregory gives anyone thinking about hip replacement surgery. Not too long ago, he was the one living with constant pain and wondering when he’d finally get some relief. Today, after a successful total hip replacement at OrthoIllinois, Gregory is back to living pain-free and confident.
Life Before Surgery: Living in Constant Discomfort
Gregory first injured his hip as a teenager, so he always had an idea that surgery might be in his future. As the years passed, the pain slowly worsened until it started interfering with his daily life.
Simple tasks became exhausting. Mowing the lawn meant taking multiple breaks. Walking more than a block was nearly impossible. Climbing stairs felt like a major challenge.
“I didn’t try physical therapy or injections,” Gregory says. “I knew those would just delay what I already knew was coming. I was waiting for the point where I couldn’t take the pain anymore. That day finally came.”
Finding the Right Team at OrthoIllinois
When Gregory decided it was time to take the next step, he turned to his local community for recommendations. He posted in a neighborhood Facebook group, asking if anyone knew a good surgeon. The response was overwhelming.
“More than 50 people recommended OrthoIllinois,” Gregory says. “That kind of response made the decision really easy.”
Gregory was initially seen at OrthoIllinois by John Daniels, MD. Dr. Daniel’s assessment revealed the very complex nature of both Gregory’s condition and the advanced surgical procedure that would be required. Gregory was further referred to Dr. Michael Harvey to perform the complex hip replacement surgery.
A Surgeon Who Put Him at Ease
Gregory’s first appointment with Dr. Harvey left a lasting impression.
“He explained everything in a way I could understand. He even showed me the actual parts they’d be using in the surgery,” Gregory says. “That made it all feel more real, but also a lot less scary. He was so down-to-earth and reassuring.”
Gregory had mentally prepared himself for a difficult experience. But to his surprise, everything went far better than expected.
“When I woke up after surgery, I was amazed at how little pain I felt,” he says.
Surgery Day: Clear, Calm, and Comforting
On the day of the procedure, Gregory felt completely supported.
“Everyone from the nurses to the surgical staff was so calm and kind. Everything was clearly explained, and I never felt confused or alone at any point. They made sure I was comfortable the whole time.”
Recovery: One Step at a Time
After surgery, Gregory followed a clear recovery plan that started with physical therapy.
“Dr. Harvey told me, ‘Just do what we tell you, when we tell you,’ and I did exactly that,” Gregory says.
Every day brought new progress. He stood taller. He walked farther. He began to trust his body again. That, he says, was the hardest part—believing he could move without pain. But as the days passed, that confidence came back.
Life Today: Free from Pain and Fear
Now, Gregory says his right hip feels fantastic. He can bend, squat, and walk comfortably, things that used to be difficult or even impossible.
“I do things without even thinking about it now. It’s really changed my life.”
The surgery and recovery went so well, in fact, that Gregory already has the second hip replacement scheduled for his arthritic left side.
“This time, I’m not nervous at all. I know exactly what to expect, and I know I’m in good hands.”
His Message to Others: Don’t Wait
Looking back, Gregory says he’s eager to encourage others who are putting off surgery.
“I’ve told so many people, don’t be afraid. Just get it done. You’ll feel so much better, and you won’t regret it.”
He credits the success of his experience to the care and expertise of Dr. Harvey and the entire OrthoIllinois team.
“This wasn’t just a surgery. It was a turning point in my life. They didn’t just fix my hip, they gave me my life back.”
Read more about Gregory’s journey → https://www.orthoillinois.com/blog/from-pain-to-power-gregorys-hip-replacement-journey-with-orthoillinois/
