The roar of Montana State University Bobcat football fans fills the air as groups of tailgaters settle in to celebrate. For Mary Bridger, a Harrison, Montana native and avid fan, this has been a fall tradition since 1971. The Spirit of the West marching band parades through the tailgate section as the crowd cheers them on. This is what Mary lives for. Six years ago, that excitement came to a screeching halt. Severe hip pain made the long walk to her tailgate spot unbearable. Soon, even simple tasks like walking to her mailbox or stepping into her garage was too much.
Watching the game from home became her only option. After her husband passed away, her daughter moved back to Bozeman to be closer and saw Mary’s struggle firsthand. “You need to see the doctor,” her daughter urged. Mary’s primary care physician referred her to Bridger Orthopedic and Dr. Martin Gelbke. One look at her x-rays, and he confirmed what Mary feared, her hips were bone on bone. The only solution was hip replacement surgery. Mary began her journey at Bozeman Health Spine + Joint Institute (SJI).
Bozeman Health SJI is the first DNV certified comprehensive orthopedic and spine center of excellence in the state of Montana. SJI’s revolutionary approach combines pre-surgery optimization with top orthopedic surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities to provide safe care and fast recovery. Mary’s first stop was at the pre-anesthesia clinic. Here, joint replacement patients get a full work up to make sure they are fully optimized for surgery. This program sets SJI apart from other orthopedic programs, making SJI truly unique.
Once Mary’s tests came back, she was cleared for surgery. Dr. Gelbke scheduled Mary’s first hip surgery in January and the second in March. Mary went in for her first surgery, and after the procedure, the specially trained nurses swung into action. SJI’s new post-surgery recovery floor is designed specifically for joint replacement and spine surgery patients. The floor features on-site physical therapy, specially trained nurses, and spacious rooms tailored to recovery.
After her first surgery, Mary’s room was just three doors down from the “Bobcat Room,” decked out with MSU Bobcat logos and photos of past players. The nurses got her up and walking that same day, and when Mary passed the Bobcat Room, she couldn’t help but smile, saying, “oh my, look at that”, beaming at the sight of her beloved Bobcats. For her second surgery, the SJI team planned a special surprise: they wheeled Mary straight into the Bobcat Room. “Oh, you’re kidding!” Mary exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy.
Back home and surrounded by family, Mary felt the biggest change—the pain was gone. She could walk without the crippling discomfort that had held her back. “It’s a new lease on life, totally,” she said. Now pain-free, Mary is back to enjoying MSU Bobcat games from her tailgate spot. Her advice to anyone struggling with joint pain? “Get to the doctor; don’t put it off like I did.” If joint pain is keeping you from the activities you love, take the first steps and request an appointment online.
