Sandra’s Story

In Sept. of 2014 I finally had enough of the knee pain and being on pain medication. I work retail, and my job has me on my feet 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. When I first saw Dr. Jonathan Biebl and his PA Nate Nisler, the pain was almost unbearable. My x-rays showed that my left knee was bone on bone. We tried injections of cortisone and the Synvisc injection. Neither one was helpful in my case, due to being on my feet 8 hours a day.

By early November I was back where I was before the injections and we decided total replacement was the next course. I was scheduled to have my surgery on December 22. It was not a hard decision for me to make given the amount of pain I was in at that point.

I arrived at St. Johns hospital on Dec. 22 at 5:15 am. Surgery was scheduled for 7:30 am. After prepping with nurses, a visit from anesthesia and Dr. Biebl, I was ready to go. I chose a spinal and for me that was a good decision. I was in recovery less than two hours after surgery began and back up in my room before noon. I was able to have something to eat within an hour after being back in my room.

I was kept on top of my pain with medication given at intervals. I saw PT mid afternoon and was able to do a few of the exercises they showed me. I got out of bed for dinner that evening, and stood up for a few minutes, and took 2 or 3 steps with a walker. I slept well that night and the next day I had 2 PT sessions and a session with occupational therapy to learn how to get dressed and put on socks and shoes with a joint replacement. Things went great. The staff at St. Johns hospital was top notch and I had excellent care.

I was released from the hospital on Dec. 24, just 48 hours after surgery. I came home which was my choice instead of a care facility, but it isn’t everyone’s choice. I had help at home, and that is why I chose to come home. I had home health nursing twice a week and home pt twice a week for the first two weeks. Once I had my 2 week post op check up, I was already done with pain medication, and started going to physical therapy at Summit Orthopedics. My therapist Kate Maloney was fantastic! She was so very thorough and very supportive.

As I look back on my experience now 6 months out, it was the absolute best decision I could make. I no longer have pain nor do I limp. The staff at Summit Orthopedics is amazing, from the Receptionists to the Doctors and Physical therapists. I cannot say enough about this amazing clinic. If you choose this clinic you will not be disappointed.

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