Aspire

A WORN-OUT KNEE can make you miserable. And if you’re living with one, or multiple, you may wonder if it’s time to consider knee replacement surgery. Your doctor can discuss the pros and cons of surgery-but ultimately the decision is yours. That’s because most knee replacements are elective, meaning they’re done when you’re ready to seek relief from your pain, not for an emergency medical reason. To help you decide, here are three questions to ask yourself about your knee pain and other considerations:

1. Can I live with the pain I have now? If pain is affecting your daily life, surgery may be the right choice. Here are some red flags: It’s hard to climb stairs, get into a car or move around your home. You’re giving up activities you enjoy. You wake up at night in pain. Your mood and relationships are affected. You have more bad days than good.
2. Have I exhausted all other options? Knee replacement surgery is suggested if other more conservative treatments haven’t helped. These include pain relievers, steroid injections, exercise, physical therapy, and assistive devices, such as a walker or a cane.
3. Am I ready to commit to recovery? Removing a natural knee and replacing it with artificial parts is a major surgery. For better healing, you may need to stop smoking and lose weight beforehand. And afterward you’ll need physical therapy to regain muscle strength, range of motion and good mobility. This surgery eases pain for most people. “Every patient has a different goal they want to get back to,” explains Dr. Brad Binsfeld, Orthopedic Surgeon. “We see a lot of patients who are hardworking individuals who want to remain active and pain free.” We also see many patients who want to continue doing the things they enjoy like hunting or golf. When considering a joint replacement, I tell my patients that they will know when they are ready when they’ve exhausted other options and they realize they’ve become a spectator in life, not a participant. Our goal is to help improve their quality of life.”

Sources: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; Arthritis Foundation; National Institutes of Health

Thanks to Grant Regional and joint replacement surgery, Kris is enjoying being active again!

As a nurse for over 38 years, Kris Wolf recalls long shifts, always on her feet and on the go. Since retirement, she has remained busy and dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle including exercise and staying active. When she noticed bothersome knee pain getting in the way of doing the things she enjoys, she decided it was time to see what could be done. She trusted her care to Grant Regional's Ortho team, Dr. Brad Binsfeld, and Nate Stocco, PA-C. “I chose Grant Regional because of the outstanding reputation of the Ortho team and

the convenience of having surgery locally,” explained Kris. “For about 3 years, I was fortunate that cortisone injections helped lessen the pain. Last fall I began noticing the injections weren't helping as much and it was then that Dr. Binsfeld and Nate suggested it was time to consider joint replacement.”

“My right knee was worse, so I decided to go ahead with joint replacement at the end of October. I was extremely impressed with Dr. Binsfeld and Nate's throughout the entire process of having total knee replacement surgery. Prior to surgery, I attended Joint Replacement University, an informative session that provided helpful information about what to expect before, during and following my surgery. This included educational sessions from each department that would be involved in my care including Surgery, Anesthesia, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Pharmacy and, or course, the Ortho team. I felt more knowledgeable, confident and at ease going into surgery. The surgery went very well, as expected. I was amazed that the constant pain in right knee was gone allowing me to move around freely without my knee giving out.”

“Rehab staff were so helpful right after surgery. My PT's and PTA's were incredible and can’t say enough about how they encouraged me to my full potential with at home exercises, which is crucial to recovery and being active again. With one successful surgery behind me, I decided to have my other knee surgery a few months later in January. Knowing how well the first knee surgery went, I felt confident going into the second one. Dr. Binsfeld really listens to his patients and makes the best possible recommendation for a positive, healthy recovery once you feel you are ready for the replacement. He always said to call if I had any questions or concerns. That truly meant a lot to me to know he cared that much. I also appreciated how calm and reassuring he was - it was so encouraging.”

“I could not be happier with my surgery outcome. I'm back to walking and exercising at the gym. We are so blessed to have one of the very best orthopedic surgeons right at Grant Regional. The team definitely lived up to their reputation. Everyone who cared for me from start to finish was outstanding and really made me feel at ease. From the minute you walk in the door at Grant Regional, you are greeted with a smile. Our hospital has exceptional staff who are kind and thoughtful. They get to know you and really care about you as a person.”- Kris Wolf, Lancaster

For more information on joint replacement surgery, contact our Ortho team at (608) 723-2131 or learn by visiting our Orthopedics webpage.

Categories: Providers,orthopedics