A Winter Fall and a Remarkable Recovery: Marci’s Comback Story

Marci Kitchen

Marci was at the end of her daily three-mile walk in her neighborhood with her dog Maverick when she stepped onto what looked like snow but was actually a large hidden piece of ice. Losing her footing, she began to slip and instinctively put her hands out to brace her fall.

“When I stepped on the ice, it was like Goofy on a banana peel,” said Marci. “One second I was standing, and the next I was down.”

The fall was instant. The pain was not. Marci didn’t need to look at her arm to know something was terribly wrong. The pain was so horrendous that she immediately took off her wedding ring so it wouldn’t get stuck as her fingers swelled. Lying there in freezing 20-degree weather, Marci was unable to get up and was afraid no one would come along to help. Luckily, a local mailman saw her fall and immediately notified her husband for help.

As Marci and her husband rushed to a nearby emergency room, her uninjured hand began cramping and curling. Scared and uncertain, Marci thought she might have damaged both of her wrists. After waiting about 15 minutes in the emergency room in excruciating pain, she realized that she needed a better and faster option.

“I was in so much pain that I couldn’t wait any longer,” said Marci. “I told my husband to take me to OrthoIllinois.”

Immediate Care and Relief at Injury Express

At OrthoIllinois Injury Express, Marci was seen right away. X-rays confirmed what she already suspected: she had fractured her wrist and her bones had shifted significantly.

“I did a really good job breaking it,” she says now with a laugh.

The team moved quickly to help ease Marci’s pain and quickly determined that she would need surgery. Marci was relieved that Dr. Brian Foster would perform surgery and repair the fracture with a plate and screws. When she reflects on that whirlwind 24 hours, what stands out most isn’t just the speed, it’s the compassion.

“I just felt so cared for,” she says. “They were encouraging me. They were loving to me. They were rooting for me.”

A Recovery Team That Went Above and Beyond

After a successful surgery with Dr. Foster, physical therapy became an important part of her recovery.

“The girls at physical therapy are amazing,” Marci says. “They make you want to be there and push you to get better.”

At one appointment, she mentioned how much pain she was still experiencing and that she was hesitant to ask for additional medication. But her therapist had already noticed.

“The therapist told me that she was already writing a note to the doctor before I had a chance to tell her it was bothering me.”

Within an hour of leaving therapy, she received a call from the surgeon’s office. Adjustments were made to her treatment plan, including a steroid pack that helped reduce the swelling and pain. As a former hairstylist, regaining full use of her hand was deeply personal.

Getting Back to Everyday Life

Seven weeks after surgery, Marci is starting to feel like herself again. Her right wrist and hand are healing, and she’s looking forward to being able to fully participate in her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Even tasks that once seemed impossible are now back within reach.

“I pretty much can do everything,” she says. “Some things hurt, and sometimes it feels weird. But I can do it, and that’s what’s important.”

For Marci, the recovery is about more than just regaining strength; it’s about getting her life back.

“The care I received at OrthoIllinois made all the difference,” she reflects. “If you ever need orthopedic care, this is the place you want. They’re skilled, compassionate, and ready to get you back to the moments that matter most.”