StemCell Therapy

BISMARCK, N.D. Everyday activities can sometimes be taken for granted.

For years, a Bismarck woman couldn't perform actions as simple as turning a key because of rheumatoid arthritis.

For most of us, a task like opening the door doesn't require much thought.

But, for Julie Pfliiger, it's one of the many simple actions that gave her pain for years.

"At the time my husband had to get me out of bed. Tie my shoes. I was really incapacitated," said Pfliiger.

Pfliiger suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder that causes painful swelling in joint linings.

Opening jars, turning a faucet, and even driving challenged her.

"I really didn't go anywhere other than work. And work was really tough at the time," said Pfliiger.

Pfliiger had the condition for 12 years before she underwent surgery at Sanford Health.

During a series of four surgeries, her tendons were tightened and one of her wrists was fused.

Then she started working with a hand therapist to make the surgery effective.

"We went from supporting it, protecting it, to getting the motion, to strengthening within the course of several months," said Cory-Vatnsdal Gezk, hand and occupational therapist

Vatnsdal Gezk says Pfliiger's condition was one of the most extreme she's ever seen in patients, but her recovery was one of the most successful ones.

"To help her son get dressed, to turn a key in her car, to turn a doorknob, get dressed, do her laundry. Cook, cut food, the things that you and I take for granted she does wonderful now," said Vatnsdal Gezk.

Pfliiger continues to work with her therapist to gain strength in her hands and wrists.

See the rest here:
Sanford Health helps woman with rheumatoid arthritis - KFYR-TV

This entry was posted on May 3, 2017 at 9:41 am and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |