Turning to a Colleague for Help
Fifteen years ago, Dr. Erica Gaertner fractured her patella when she fell during a horse race. She underwent surgery to repair the injury and another to remove the hardware. She returned to competition, and served as the leading lady steeplechase jockey for Delaware Valley in 2011.
Her experiences as a patient propelled her to pursue a career in medicine to help others battling through sports injuries.
"I had a lot of injuries during my career as a professional equestrian and sports medicine is something I can relate to," says Dr. Gaertner, who serves as a primary care sports medicine physician at the LifeBridge Health Sports Medicine Institute. "I also enjoy helping patients stay healthy and get back to their activity." Unfortunately for Dr. Gaertner, she continues to be a patient as well. For the last six years, she's dealt with persistent pain. She's had cortisone and Synvisc injections and physical therapy. A year ago, she was set to have another procedure, but she broke her collarbone during competition.
The excruciating knee pain continued. An MRI revealed extensive wear and tear on the cartilage in her knee. She tried to continue competing but the pain worsened. Now, she's in considerable pain when she walks her dogs and performs other daily activities.
"Daily life is now problematic," says Dr. Gaertner. "It's hard to walk, go up and down stairs and even ride."
Unable to accept the pain any longer, she turned to Dr. Craig Bennett, co-founder and medical director of the LifeBridge Health Sports Medicine Institute and a renowned sports surgeon who happens to be her colleague.
As cartilage does not regenerate on its own, Dr. Bennett acknowledges two options: using Dr. Gaertner's own cartilage for repair or taking it from someone else. Luckily, Dr. Bennett found an entire cartilage donation for an osteochondral allograft, which he performed in late January at Northwest Hospital. He replaced four damaged sections of the femur in Dr. Gaertner's right knee.
"Dr. Gaertner is young and this surgery should have a positive impact on her knee pain and way of life," Dr. Bennett explains. "She has what is called focal cartilage defects, and we know that the progression of this condition is arthritis if we do not intervene."
Dr. Bennett has performed this procedure for the last 20 years and anticipates it will provide a long-term solution for Dr. Gaertner, who is not only his associate but also now is his patient.
"It always means a lot when a colleague puts their trust in me and allows me to perform their surgery," Dr. Bennett notes. "I am fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to operate on a number of my colleagues, including one of my mentors. This is a procedure that I'm very comfortable with and passionate about, and I'm honored to be able to help Dr. Gaertner!"
Dr. Gaertner did not think twice when she knew it was time to take the next step in dealing with her knee pain.
"I didn't have any hesitation about choosing him," says Dr. Gaertner. "I trust Dr. Bennett and this is what he does. He's an excellent surgeon and he's had a lot of success with this procedure."
With his help, she'll be back in the saddle again soon.
To make an appointment with Dr. Bennett or another provider at the LifeBridge Health Sports Medicine Institute, call 410-601-PLAY.