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Sep 13, 2021 Reporting from Niles, MI
An (un)lucky break - Antonette Wood
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/orthopedic-care/our-orthopedic-patients-say-it-best/Detail/an-(un)lucky-break/?utm_source=An_(un)lucky_break&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Sep 13, 2021
Sep 13, 2021
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us.&nb
An (un)lucky break - Antonette Wood
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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An (un)lucky break - Antonette Wood
Sep, 2021
Physicians: Jeffery Postma, DO
Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us.
Antonette (Toni) Wood made it 74 years without breaking a single bone. But that all changed one unlucky morning as she and her husband Tom were replacing the cover on their pool at their home in Coloma. Toni slipped on the slick plastic. She fell backward onto the cement, landing with both arms behind her.
“I felt pain shoot up my arms immediately,” said Toni. “I knew something was wrong.”
Breaking the news
Toni went to the emergency department at Spectrum Health Lakeland Watervliet Hospital where clinicians discovered that one of her wrists was broken in two places and the other had a small, clean fracture.
“This was the first time in my life I had ever broken a bone,” said Toni. “The news was a surprise.”
Her care team at the emergency department put casts on her wrists and referred her to orthopedic surgeon, Jeffrey Postma, DO, at Community Bone and Joint in Coloma.
Meeting Dr. Postma put Toni at ease right away. She appreciated both his ability as a physician and his personable attitude. When Dr. Postma broke the news to Toni that she would need surgery on her left wrist, he did it with compassion.
“He just held my hand for a minute, explained everything, and made me feel less afraid about the whole idea of surgery,” said Toni.
Help and healing
The accident happened on a Monday. By Wednesday, Toni had consulted with Dr. Postma and on Friday she was preparing to undergo surgery at Spectrum Health Lakeland Watervliet Hospital.
During the surgery, Dr. Postma set the broken bone back into place. He also placed an internal plate and screws to hold the bone fragments together while they healed.
“My care team seemed genuinely concerned about my wellbeing and how much pain I was in,” said Toni. “They really cared about helping and healing me.”
“The anesthesiologist was also wonderful,” continued Toni. “He did a local pain block for the surgery so I couldn’t feel any discomfort.”
After the procedure, Antonette wore a cast for two weeks. Once the cast came off, she stayed diligent with at-home exercises recommended by Dr. Postma to help with continued healing and improve mobility. Her unlucky breaks have healed, and she’s returned to all her normal activities, including spending time with her husband and daughter, and enjoying their pool.
“If I need any kind of orthopedic care in the future, Dr. Postma and his team will be my first choice,” exclaimed Toni.