Josephine Bila

I fractured my elbow one day after work and was brought to New York Presbyterian hospital by ambulance. My initial emergency surgery at NYP went well, but left me with scar tissue that almost left me permanently disabled. I could no longer do things that required both hands, like floss, tie my hair into a ponytail, or even wash my back. I was receiving intense physical therapy, but still my arm refused to bend properly.

After two/three months of physical therapy, Dr. Lorich (my first surgeon) referred me to HSS elbow specialist Dr. Daluiski with the hope that Dr. Daluiski could increase my rotation ability.

I was scared to have another surgery that could possibly make matters worse, but I agreed to go through with it because I wanted to get my mobility back.

Dr. Daluiski was confident in his conversations with me and I really trusted in his ability. Plus, he was really nice and the physical therapist that he closely worked with comforted me with her stories of their success with patients.

Dr. Daluiski removed my scar tissue and moved my ulnar nerve to a new position that would allow my arm to bend properly. My recovery time after my surgery with Dr. Daluiski was about 5 weeks. I'm overjoyed to say that I made a full recovery.

I've returned to my normal routine, which includes exercising and weight lifting at the gym --something I never in my wildest dreams imagined would happen. I still have titanium screws, rod, and plate in my elbow, but I hardly notice them. Aside from those things, it's as good as before.

The video is a story of my elbow journey and how it changed my life.