“My goal is to listen to them, to understand what hurts, what their limitations are, and then work together to determine the best plan forward to get them back on their feet.”
Returning to Williamsport was a bit of a homecoming for Kyle Hubler, MD.
"I grew up in a small town west of here," says Dr. Hubler, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC in North Central Pa. "I did my undergraduate work close to here, and Williamsport is a great family community with a lot of activities."
Dr. Hubler says UPMC's reputation drew him back to the area.
"One of the unique things about UPMC in North Central Pa. is that it’s part of a large, well-known health system, but it still has that community approach," he says.
As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Hubler sees patients suffering from hip and joint pain. Many of them are older, formerly active adults. They often are using a cane or walker or need support from someone else to make it into the exam room.
Every patient is different, Dr. Hubler says. Surgery isn't always the answer, and x-rays may only reveal part of the story.
“My goal is to listen to them,” Dr. Hubler says, “to understand what hurts, what their limitations are, and then work together to determine the best plan forward to get them back on their feet.”
UPMC in North Central Pa. has many options for treating joint pain, including physical therapy and injections. Patients who require surgery often undergo pre-surgery education and classes. This can help restore their mobility before surgery to ensure the best outcome.
UPMC Williamsport has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval®️ for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement for five straight years and just this year earned the UPMC Health Plan Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Surgery Center of Excellence.
“I think it’s important to develop a bond with your patients," Dr. Hubler says. "This is a big decision we’re making together, and that bond helps a patient’s confidence in not only me but also their recovery and long-term outcome."
UPMC Williamsport provides many advanced techniques in joint replacement. That includes same-day surgeries, where patients who qualify can go home that day.
It also provides robotic-assisted surgery to help with the placement of the implant position for each individual patient as accurate as possible.
Dr. Hubler is motivated by his ability to change someone’s life from their initial meeting to their follow-up after treatment.
"To see patients a couple months after surgery, walking painlessly, to see them get back to what they love and living their lives without pain, that’s rewarding," he says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means restoring mobility and independence to patients and the community.
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