A Remarkable Comeback from a Serious Elbow Injury

Imagine having an injury that has the word “terrible” in its name.

Donna Hartman tripped over a carpet and tried to break her fall with an outstretched arm. When she hit the floor, she broke two bones in her elbow and dislocated it, causing ligament tears.

It is a severe and complex injury called the “terrible triad,” and it requires careful surgical repair to restore function and prevent chronic pain and loss of motion in the joint.

Fortunately, the 60-year-old Easton woman went to Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute for her surgery and rehabilitation. She had an exceptional outcome, and today she is pain free and back to crafting, bike riding and swimming.

Her surgeon was Daniel Torres, MD, a hand and upper extremity surgeon with LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–2775 Muhlenberg.

“Terrible triad injuries are a well-recognized orthopedic challenge due to their complexity and potential for complications if not managed properly,” Dr. Torres says.

In this case, during 2½ hours in the operating room, Dr. Torres used small screws to stabilize one of Hartman’s elbow bones, inserted sutures and a surgical anchor to repair a fracture in another of her bones, and installed strong suture anchors to fix the significant injuries to her elbow ligaments. He also needed to install a brace inside her elbow.

“My elbow was pretty much shattered,” Hartman says. “Dr. Torres told me it would be very tough to fix, and that I might never regain full use.” It was during that discussion that he asked about her hobbies and activities, a conversation that Hartman says was unexpected and appreciated.

“Everyone has different priorities,” Dr. Torres says, “whether it’s returning to work, playing a sport, or simply returning to daily activities without pain.” The result was a tailored treatment plan that supported her personal recovery goals.

“Donna’s excellent recovery is a testament to both the surgical intervention and her dedication to rehabilitation,” Dr. Torres says. It was an exceptional recovery, he says, attributable to precise surgical repair, early and structured rehab therapy and Hartman’s motivation in rehab.

 “When patients are really focused on their recovery goals and work hard on their rehab, that’s when we see the best results,” says Joan Hilstolsky, a certified hand therapist with Rehabilitation Services–Hecktown Oaks. “That’s one of the reasons Donna had such a great comeback from her injury.”

 “Donna’s case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in complex orthopedic injuries,” says Dr. Torres. “Her story is a great example of how modern orthopedic surgery, when combined with an engaged and motivated patient, can lead to exceptional outcomes, even in cases where initial expectations might be limited.”

 “I just feel very lucky that I am able to get back to my life,” says Hartman. “I’m back to doing pretty much everything I was doing before. I don’t even think about my elbow.”