The CHS main office is a busy place, constantly answering student and staff questions. But it’s felt empty recently with the absence of Community’s Secretary to the Dean, Joann Constantinides.
Monday, March 16, was Constantinides’ first day back in the office after surgery. Constantinides has been navigating severe arthritis in both hips since the summer of 2024, and the pain only worsened with time.
X-rays showed some of the damage in her hips, and Constantinides’ doctor also wanted her to receive an MRI, but her insurance company refused. The company insisted on six weeks of physical therapy (PT) instead of the MRI. After two weeks, Constantinides and her therapist agreed that PT wasn’t helping and that she should return to the doctor.
Initially, Constantinides’ anterior hip replacement surgery was scheduled for March 2, but she accepted an offer to have it moved to Feb 11.
“Before surgery, I was really looking forward to knowing that I’d be able to get my life back,” Constantinides said. “I like to be really active, and there was a lot I couldn’t do.”
Constantinides was excited but calm as she prepared for surgery. Her father was a doctor, and she had surgeries done on her wrist and abdomen before, so she knew what to expect. Constantinides trusted her doctor and the staff at Trinity Health, and she felt that she had nothing to worry about.
Constantinides was able to go home the same day of her operation after being shown how to walk up and down stairs to ensure she could balance well. For her first few days at home, Constantinides was able to walk, but the mix of medications she was given made her somewhat sick.
“The first week was hard because I couldn’t take as much of the medication as I needed,” Constantinides said. “The pain started to get a little out of control.”
Once the mild sickness passed, and Constantindes was able to take the full doses of medication, she started to feel much better. Constantinides has been attending PT three times a week, and every time she goes, she feels stronger. Her PT will continue for several more weeks, but the full recovery time is much longer.
Constantinides is wary of falling down for the next year, as falling can dislocate or loosen the hip replacement or even cause a fracture to the femur bone. Constantindes is still experiencing a limited range of motion, swelling and soreness from surgery. Unlike other hip replacement operations, the anterior approach separates muscles instead of cutting through them. Then, the damaged joint is removed, and a replacement ball and socket are inserted. This process allows for less pain, faster healing and better precision because of the incision point.
Anterior hip replacement has risks, too. Like any surgery, there are chances that something unpredictable might happen. There is a small chance that the thigh bone might crack in the process and potential for nerve damage and numbness around the incision.
However, the benefits of hip replacement outweighed the risks for Constantinides. As an active person, Constantinides enjoys
backpacking, biking, kayaking, gardening and exercising. Constantinides was severely limited in what she could do with the pain worsening in her hips throughout 2024 and 2025.
“I’m just glad I was able to have it done,” Constantinides said.
When Constantinides broke her wrist three years ago, she received some advice that she feels is important to share. Constantinides’ doctor said that people who live in northern climates don’t get enough vitamin D, even in the summer. Vitamin D is a significant factor in growing and maintaining strong bones, which Constantinides wishes she had known sooner.
“You need to take calcium and vitamin D, and you need to start taking it when you’re young so that your bones really grow correctly,” Constantinides said.
As an adult, Constantinides has developed osteoporosis, a disease where bones are significantly weakened because bone tissue isn’t replaced as fast as it is lost. Having osteoporosis has contributed to Constantinides’ decision to have a hip replacement done.
As Secretary to the Dean for Community High, Constantinides’s work is essential to keep Community High up and running. Her work spans everything from letting students back into the building during the school day to student and administrative support. Constantindes missed being at work but knew she needed time to recharge and heal post-operation.
“I thrive on being around other people, even though I’m kind of an introvert,” Constantinides said. “It’s really great to see people, and it’s nice to feel helpful and useful.”
While her job in the CHS office can be challenging and chaotic, Constantinides is glad to be back.
