April 24, 2023 kicks off Patient Experience Week and Anniston Orthopaedic Associates wants to shine a light on our patients, as well as the healthcare workers who enhance their experiences.

Many patients who enter our office are in pain, which makes the job of executing excellence in health care that much more important. Kandi Street was one of those patients. As is the case with many of our patients, suffering had become a way of life for her. "I had been suffering for several years with hip pain. It literally shut down a lot of my physical activities," Kandi recalls. "Then the pain got a lot worse and I couldn’t even walk without limping.  I was so miserable, and the shooting pain even woke me up at night." 

How many of us are so overwhelmed by the idea of treatment, therapy, and especially surgery, that we simply forego medical treatment altogether and hope our problem will resolve itself? More people than we may realize take this approach, but unfortunately, most orthopedic problems don't resolve on their own. This was the case for Kandi, as well. "I injured it further by stepping into the ocean on a trip to the beach," recalls Kandi. "After that, I could not even walk or put weight on my leg."

Fortunately, those who had experienced excellent patient care at Anniston Orthopedics reached out to Kandi. "A lot of people told me to go to Anniston Orthopedics for help, and I am so happy that I did."

Upon entering our office, patients are greeted and assisted with the check-in process. They are then taken into triage and evaluated by caring and compassionate health care workers who then show patients to their exam rooms.

Waiting on Mrs. Street was Dr. Gordon Hardy. After his assessment, it was concluded that the solution for her would be a total hip replacement. We asked Kandi if that experience was one she was pleased with. "After a total hip replacement and therapy,  I am able to walk normally again without pain and no limp," she says, as she reminisces about one of her post-op vacations. "I recently was able to go back to my favorite place, the beach, and walk in the sand without pain or any limping.  I even walked a long, long, pier to enjoy a sunset dolphin watching cruise with some of my children and grandchildren."

What's the biggest take away from her experience at Anniston Orthopedics? In Kandi's words, "I now enjoy spending more time with my family and my quality of life is so much better.  I like to go, go, go again!" And feeling better makes joking around easier, as well, "With my new hip, I am truly a “hipster” now!" 

These are the patient experiences that we work for each day. "Everyone at Anniston Orthopedics is great to work with," says Kandi, "and I am so grateful to them and the surgical expertise of Dr. Hardy!"

If you or someone you know has a patient experience you would like to share with us, we would love to hear from you! Email kedwards@annistonortho.com or call 256-236-4121.

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