PHOTO PROVIDED Mike Gaetano, of Williamsport, is pictured on vacation with his grandchildren after a successful hip replacement at UPMC improved his quality of life.

WILLIAMSPORT — Mike Gaetano, 65, of Williamsport, has always lived with purpose — in business, in family and in fitness. A former college wrestler and longtime insurance executive, Mike built his life around discipline and movement.

“I’ve always believed in taking care of my body,” he says. “It keeps me sharp for work and present for my family.”

But in recent years, a nagging ache in his right hip began to slow him down. What started as occasional soreness turned into daily pain.

“I would ice it, take Tylenol and push through,” Mike recalls. “But each year, it got harder.”

The tipping point came during the holidays last year. A minor misstep while taking down decorations triggered sharper pain and a groin pull.

“That changed everything,” he says. “I went from working out every day to not being able to work out at all.”

By March of this year, Mike hadn’t exercised in months. An x-ray revealed advanced osteoarthritis which caused his bones to grind together because his cartilage, which is meant to help cushion the joints, was gone.

“It was bone on bone,” he says. “I knew it wasn’t going to fix itself.”

Though friends suggested traveling for surgery, Mike chose to stay local and saw John “Jack” Bailey, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon, UPMC Williamsport, who was a longtime friend and trusted expert.

“Jack told me, ‘I do 200 of these a year. If I couldn’t take care of you, I wouldn’t tell you I could,'” Mike says. “That gave me all the confidence I needed.”

Dr. Bailey walked Mike through the procedure: removing damaged bone and cartilage, inserting a titanium stem and placing a new ball-and-socket joint.

“I was nervous,” Mike admits. “But Jack answered every question until I felt ready.”

In April, Mike underwent hip replacement surgery. That afternoon, he was on his feet with help from a physical therapist.

“That blew my mind,” he says. “I thought I’d be in bed for days.”

Recovery began at home the next morning. With support from a nurse navigator and a personalized physical therapy plan, Mike gradually regained strength. Within six weeks, he was back on the elliptical and stationary bike. After eight weeks, he resumed light weightlifting.

“My biggest motivator was my grandkids,” he says. “I want to be the kind of grandfather who can get down on the floor, pick them up and take them for walks. Before surgery, I couldn’t do that without pain.”

Mike credits his recovery to the combination of expert care and genuine compassion.

“Everyone at UPMC, from check-in to follow-up, treated me with kindness and respect,” he says. “You don’t always find that in health care.”

He’s also proud to have stayed local.

“We’re blessed to have this level of care in Williamsport,” Mike says. “You don’t have to leave your community for world-class treatment.”

Now back to his early-morning workouts, Mike is focused on staying strong and flexible.

“This surgery gave me my routine back,” he says. “And that routine keeps me grounded.”

His advice to others living with joint pain? “Don’t wait. Get it checked. You might be surprised how good life can feel again.”

UPMC offers advanced joint and hip replacement options close to home. For more information on UPMC Orthopaedic Care services in north central Pennsylvania, visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA.