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Forget your typical birthday party – Fannie Mutchko recently celebrated her 100th birthday with much more fanfare! Dressed like a princess she watched as a parade of more than thirty cars and one hundred people, including the mayor of her hometown of Waldwick, New Jersey - who proclaimed December 14, 2024 Fannie Mutchko Day - honk and serenade the centenarian who joked with and danced for her adoring fans. 

This incredible milestone wouldn't have been possible, she says, without the groundbreaking care she received at Hackensack Meridian’s Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) when she was in her 90s. When other hospitals turned Fannie away due to her age, the orthopedic specialists at Hackensack recognized Fannie's vibrant spirit and unwavering determination. Two successful knee replacements later, Fannie is living proof that age is just a number.

Fannie's story is one of resilience and hope. Like millions of other people, debilitating knee pain threatened to confine her to a wheelchair, robbing her of the active lifestyle she cherished. But Fannie refused to give up and HUMC's commitment to providing exceptional care, regardless of age, gave her a second chance. 

"I never thought I'd still be dancing at 100!" exclaims Fannie. "The doctors at Hackensack, especially orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Harlan Levine, kept me on my feet when the only thing that was holding me down was knee pain. They listened to me, believed in me, and never treated me like I was 'too old.' I'm so grateful for their expertise and compassion," she says. 

“Fannie's story is a testament to the power of advanced orthopedic care and the importance of individualized treatment,” says Dr.  Levine. “Her experience is also a great reminder to the entire community that we don’t age out of health care.”

Dr. Levine says age, itself, is not a determinant for whether or not a patient can have a procedure, overall health and wellbeing is. 

“I’m so proud to have played a role in helping Fannie to continue to live her best life,” he says. 

Fannie’s family says her birthday was also a celebration of the human spirit and a reminder that it's never too late to pursue a healthy, active life that, for Fannie, includes playing bingo twice a week at a local senior center where she also tap danced from age 62 to 85. And, of course, being a favorite fixture in Waldwick where she raised her three children and has lived for nearly 70 years. 

"Mom's quality of life wouldn't be what it is if she hadn't done her knees. It's the best thing we did. The hospital and staff were great. Dr. Levine is fantastic," says Fannie’s daughter, Diane Wanamaker, who ought to know since she’s now seeing Dr. Levine for her knees.  

Total knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, is surgery to correct knee pain and knee arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis and other knee joint problems.

During this joint replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage and uses metal and plastic implants to resurface your knee joint.

Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful surgical procedures for treating chronic and debilitating knee pain that hasn’t responded to other therapies.

More than 540,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed annually in the United States, including nearly 16,000 right here at Hackensack Meridian Health. Advancements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and post-operative care have made the procedure safer and more effective for all age groups. While there are certainly increased risks associated with any surgery for older patients, according to the experts at HMH, many individuals over 80 experience significant improvements in their quality of life after knee replacement.

For an interview with Fannie who is now looking forward to visiting family for the holidays and continuing her Centennial Celebrations and her physicians, contact: [email protected].