Back on a bicycle at 95 years old
At 95 years old, Don Ertl is biking 1,800 miles each year, the equivalent of traveling from Wisconsin to California. Ertl began riding a bike consistently in the early 1990s after spending 50 years traveling the country as a truck driver. But in recent years, arthritis and joint pain began to slow him down.
Now, thanks to a hip replacement and total ankle replacement he received at Aurora Medical Center – Grafton, Ertl is back on his bike and living the active lifestyle he loves.
“A lot of folks might call it quits,” says Dr. Eric Malicky, an orthopedic surgeon at Aurora Health Care who performed Ertl’s ankle replacement. “They might sit on a couch the rest of their life, and that wasn’t Don. His motivation is an inspiration to us all.”
Ankle replacement surgery replaces damaged bone and cartilage with an artificial joint, helping people experience less pain, maintain range of motion in their ankle and resume an active lifestyle. It is appropriate for individuals who have had unsuccessful management of pain and symptoms through conversative treatment methods including physical therapy and medication.
Ertl is now getting ready for his first full summer back in action on his bike after his total ankle replacement. And thanks to Dr. Malicky, Ertl is enjoying every mile pain free, commonly biking 30 miles to nearby towns from his Cedarburg, Wisconsin home base.
“I do not have an electric bike, ever. I still pedal!” says Ertl, who recently celebrated his birthday on his bike.
Find an orthopedic and foot & ankle specialist: Illinois | Wisconsin
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About the Author
Holly Brenza, health enews contributor, is a public affairs coordinator on the content team at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
