New Milford, CT - A retired welder who now builds houses, 66-year-old Curt Fabische wasn’t going to let a painful knee interfere with his passion for gliding down snow-covered mountains on a single ski in a little-known sport known as mono-skiing.
Determined to “never become a couch potato,” Fabische turned to Anthony Viola, MD, of New Milford Orthopedic Associates, for total knee replacement surgery using a non-cement implant designed for patients with active lifestyles. Three months after surgery and rehabilitation, Fabische was back to motorcycle riding, hiking, biking, kayaking and hunting. He’s ready to strap on his monoski as soon as the first snowfall arrives.
“I’m as active as a 21-year-old,” said the Gaylordsville resident. “What’s the point of retiring if you can’t enjoy life?”
Healthy bones, healthy outcomes
“Curt is a role model of what we should all be like as we get older,” said Dr. Viola, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. “It’s important to stay active and fit as we age so we can enjoy our retirement. The more active we are, the healthier our bones are.” Fabische’s bones were so healthy that Dr. Viola used a non-cement knee implant usually reserved for younger patients.
“With a non-cement implant, the bone grows directly into the pores of the metal which can help people stay active,” explained Dr. Viola. “We usually don’t use this type of implant with older patients because they have poor bone quality due to osteoporosis or osteopenia; their bone won’t grow into the metal implant. Fabische, on the other hand, had the bones of a 40-year-old.”
No short cuts on road to recovery
Physical rehabilitation is an important component of the recovery process. “There are no short cuts when it comes to rehabilitation,” said Dr. Viola. “Your body needs time to heal, especially when you’re expecting the bone to meld into the metal implant. Athletes sometimes have a hard time waiting until the healing process is done.”
Fabische knows from experience how tough it can be to be patient. He re-injured his knee after arthroscopic knee surgery a few years ago because he went back to work too soon. This time, Fabische is determined to listen to the advice of his surgeon and rehabilitation experts. He’s also grateful for the expert care he received at New Milford Hospital. “They have a bed for me there,” joked Fabische, referring to the many times he has turned to the hospital throughout the years. “Physically, I’m in excellent condition – except for what I do to myself!”
Ready to hit the slopes
His latest passion is mono-skiing, a sport that involves the use a single, doublewide ski. The bindings on a mono-ski are side-by-side so the skier’s legs are locked together facing forward. “Mono-skiing is easier on the knees than conventional skiing because you’re using your upper body to ski,” said Fabische. “You can ski all day, even if you have a bad back or bad knees.” Fabische expects to hit the slopes soon. He has no intention of heeding the call of those who say he should slow down. “You got to keep going to stay young.”
