Knee replacement surgery allows football coach to stay at the top of his game

Frank Fucetola, of Hammonton, head football coach and physical education teacher at Williamstown High School, has dedicated his career to coaching and mentoring teens for the past 38 years. He challenges his players to always give their best and lives by this principle himself. In 2005, Fucetola was diagnosed with arthritis. In the following years it became progressively worse.

“In addition to aching and soreness, the arthritis was making me bow-legged and I was starting to walk with a limp,” explained Fucetola. “Ideally, a coach should be able to show players the moves, but I was becoming very limited in what I could do.”...

Not until he watched video of himself coaching on the field did Fucetola fully realize how much he was limping. “I wanted to stay active with my team so I decided to do something about it,” he said.

He had heard of the Joint Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) Mainland Campus, Pomona, New Jersey and one of ARMC’s orthopaedic partners – Rothman Institute Orthopaedics – and knew both had an excellent reputation for orthopaedic care. Because of this reputation, Fucetola saw no need to explore care further from home. He scheduled an appointment for January, 2009.

Fucetola met with Fabio Orozco, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, ARMC Joint Institute, at the Rothman Institute’s offices in the AtlantiCare Health Park, Egg Harbor Township. Orozco recommended double knee replacement surgery. Fucetola said he was not surprised to hear the news. He said he felt confident in Orozco’s ability – especially knowing Orozco performs 700 joint replacement procedures a year. He said he was ready to move forward.

Computer-aided technology allows surgeon to do his best work

Before and during the surgery, Orozco and the Joint Institute team used computer assisted navigation technology, as they do in all knee replacement procedures. This technology helps Orozco better understand the range of motion in a patient’s knees and more precisely check alignment.

Orozco explained that this technology allows him to accurately plan a patient’s surgery because it gives him a three-dimensional model of the patient’s knee. He said while operating it allows him to more effectively view the patient’s anatomy. 

“As soon as a patient goes under anesthesia, I check for range of motion and the patient’s stability pattern. Computer navigation aids in the determination of bone cuts and accuracy of alignment of the knee components,” he explained. “Through this technology, we’re able to provide the potential for longer-lasting implants and better outcomes for our patients. We’re fortunate at AtlantiCare to have the latest advances in technology implants and surgical techniques.”

Rehabilitation takes time, but pays off

The January 23 surgery went well. Afterward, Fucetola did his physical therapy at Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation, Pomona, New Jersey.

“The first six weeks were especially tough,” said Fucetola of his rehabilitation. “But you have to keep looking down the road and have confidence and keep doing the rehabilitation and know it will pay off,” said Fucetola. “During that time, I was really grateful for the support I received.”

Fucetola continued with outpatient therapy three days a week for three months, checked in regularly with his primary care physician and had a series of follow-up appointments (at one month, three months, six months and one year) with Orozco.

“The only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner”

Fucetola became progressively better. He returned to teaching and coaching at Williamstown, High School May 10, 2009. Nearly two years after surgery, he said his life has changed for the better.

“Now I’m active with the team, running, lifting weights and doing other conditioning and drills,” he said. “I definitely made the right decision. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.”

Although Fucetola’s surgery was successful, Orozco agrees that the surgery was overdue. He cautioned that the longer a patient who needs surgery waits, the more complicated the surgery and longer and more difficult the recovery can be. 

“If you feel like you aren’t where you want to be, you should trust those instincts and schedule an appointment, either with your primary care provider or with an ARMC  Joint Institute physician,” said Orozco. “Delaying surgery can result in advancing the disease process. It’s our goal to restore patients’ quality of life and to get them back to activities they love.”