“I’ve always been a very active person and involved in athletics. As a youth, I dislocated my kneecap several times and in college I tore my MCL. But, I worked hard at physical therapy and very quickly returned to my normal rhythm.
I went to college and majored in Health and Physical Education. I’ve pretty much been involved in health education my whole life. I was a certified athletic trainer for several years. I taught at a large university and also taught online classes at another. I’ve always felt that maintaining optimal health is of high importance.
My kids were graduating and going on their own… I thought this was a time I could really start being more active again after being focused on my family. In my early 50s I started feeling the effect of my so-called worn out knee, you know, the one I’d injured in my younger days. My knees became weaker and I had increasing pain.
By this point I’d already seen two orthopedic surgeons. They both recommended knee replacement surgery. I had initially shrugged it off because I thought I was too young and didn’t think that there was any way my knee could be bad enough to need that kind of surgery.”
Not all patients are candidates for this product and/or procedure. Only a medical professional can determine the treatment appropriate for your specific condition.
“The pain got so bad that it kept me awake at night. So, it wasn’t
just after activity anymore, but my knees just hurt all the time. I
reflected on my parents who had knee issues and osteoarthritis in
their knees. They went from cane to walker, to wheelchair and I didn’t
want that to happen to me… especially prematurely. I was using walking
sticks and had started limiting my physical activity. I made excuses
for why I couldn’t participate. I remember, I was at a dance in
Florida where we winter and I had to leave because my knee hurt so
bad
There were 90 year olds outlasting me!
I finally decided to get a third opinion and that one stuck. At 58, I had a total knee replacement on my right knee. I completed rehab and felt great.” It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders and work hard in the weeks and months following joint replacement surgery to complete your physical therapy.
Appropriate post-operative activities and pain will differ from patient to patient. Results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all recipient patients. Results will vary due to health, weight, activity and other variables.
“Then, my other knee became bone to bone so I had another knee replacement. I definitely wasn’t going to wait so long this time! It literally changed my life. I can walk around the block. I can walk a mile! I can walk on the beach without walking sticks. I can dance, hike, bike, and swim."
Talk to your surgeon about whether joint replacement is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risks of infection, implant wear, loosening, breakage or failure, any of which can necessitate additional surgery or treatment.