Rehabilitation facility works to return patients to active lifestyle

Johnson Rehabilitation Institute again named among best facilities in nation

BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

Arlen Ray (r), clinical manager and physical therapist at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison, works on the knee of Louise Ventrella of Westfield. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff EDISON A knee replacement, a brain injury, or a stroke can be a scary ordeal.

It changes your life and changes the way you do things, said Louise Ventrella, of Westfield, who had knee-replacement surgery in July.

Marci Gietter, assistant administrator at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute (JRI), said that basically life is interrupted, with such occurrences, especially with braintrauma patients.

I have seen all ages, whether it was a dirt-biking or diving incident, she said. A lot of our older patients have brain injuries, as well [as other medical issues].

For Ventrella, her journey started six years ago. She had two partial knee replacements then, and on July 26, she had a full left-knee replacement at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. She began as an in-patient at JRI and is down to a once-a-week session with physical therapist Arlen Ray.

Louise Ventrella uses one of the exercise stations at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute while physical therapist Arlen Ray provides instruction. Ventrellas recovery is way ahead of schedule, which she attributes to the quality of care she has received from JRI.

I am impressed at the care that I have received, she said. I like to come early and sit outside, waiting for my time. I watch the therapists interact with the other patients. They are delightful and always welcoming.

Ventrella said she dreads to think about the what-ifs what if she did not come to JRI for her therapy?

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Rehabilitation facility works to return patients to active lifestyle