Laura’s Remarkable Hip Replacement Journey at OrthoIllinois
When a car accident in 2024 left Laura with a broken sternum and a painfully jarred hip, she had no idea just how life-changing the next year would become. She spent 2025 in constant pain and frustration with her mobility.
“I could barely walk,” Laura recalled. “My leg even started to drag – it was horrible.”
A conversation with a local cashier about her recent hip replacement was the catalyst for Laura to call OrthoIllinois.“Without hesitation, she recommended OrthoIllinois,” said Laura, “And from my first appointment with Dr. Frank Bohnenkamp, I knew I was in the right place.”
Dr. Bohnenkamp suspected early on that Laura would need a hip replacement. Despite her comfort level with OrthoIllinois, she wasn’t ready to take that step.
“I thought I knew more than him,” she laughed. “But the pain kept getting worse. Finally, I told myself, ‘Enough is enough.’”
Hip Replacement in the Morning. Home by the Afternoon.
Laura may have been hesitant to have the surgery because of how long the recovery would take. Joint replacement surgery used to require long hospital and rehab facility stays. Today, advancements in minimally invasive techniques have led to an increase in outpatient joint replacement surgeries for patients who are generally healthy, active, and have a good home support system. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, over 50 percent of joint replacements in 2026 will be outpatient.
Laura’s hip replacement took place at one of OrthoIllinois’ state-of-the-art Surgery Centers.
“I was there at 7:30 in the morning, and home by noon,” said Laura.
Road to Recovery
Laura had her surgery on a Wednesday and was surprised at how smooth it went. She was impressed with how quickly her recovery progressed, thinking she would be bedridden and in pain for at least a few weeks.
“I was given pain management on Wednesday and Thursday, stopped on Friday, and by Sunday, I was out driving around.”
She also expected to see major scarring but was pleasantly surprised.
“You can barely see my scar. It looks like a little pencil line,” Laura recalls. “I had hardly any swelling.”
Care That Goes Above and Beyond
Now, Laura is walking straighter, living pain-free, and excited to have her life back. She credits the level of care and support that she received for her successful outcome.
“Dr. Bohnenkamp is wonderful. He checks all the boxes and tells you everything about what he’ll do, what to expect, and what recovery looks like. He makes you feel like you’re important,” said Laura. “The whole team was wonderful. They had everything scheduled before surgery, including in-home therapy, instructions, and medication. They didn’t miss dotting an ‘i’ or crossing a ‘t.’ It was seamless.”
Laura started in-home physical therapy the day after her surgery. For nearly three weeks, the therapist came to her house before transitioning her to outpatient therapy.
“I was so surprised that they gave me a number to call if I had any questions, and it’s an actual person,” said Laura. “I was not expecting that kind of care.”
Looking Forward to What Matters Most
Laura’s journey is more than a successful surgery story; it’s a reminder of how advanced, coordinated, and compassionate orthopedic care can get patients back on track quickly. What began as fear, hesitation, and a year of debilitating pain transformed into confidence, mobility, and joy in just a matter of weeks. Today, Laura is walking without pain, planning trips without worry, and looking forward to dancing at her daughter’s wedding without fear of falling.
“It was all amazing,” she said. “I should have done this a year sooner.”
Most of all, she hopes her story encourages others who feel stuck, scared, or uncertain about taking the next step.
“If you want to feel like you’re being taken care of, if you want people who truly care about you, I recommend Dr. Bohnenkamp and his team. They did a great job.”
