Karen C.
Building Memories, One Step at a Time After Knee Replacement Surgery
Karen is no stranger to orthopedic challenges. Over the years, chronic pain in her right knee gradually began to limit her mobility and impact her daily life. Determined to find relief, she pursued conservative treatment options first, including physical therapy and injections.
Taking the Next Step
When conservative treatment was no longer proving to be effective, Karen felt desperate to find relief because being restricted by her knee pain was not an option. The long-awaited arrival of her grandchild had brought a renewed sense of motivation. In addition to physical pain, the emotional toll of not being able to keep up with her growing grandson pushed Karen to find a solution.
“It had certainly limited my ability to get around, and I was pretty disturbed by that especially since we had a young grandchild who I was having trouble keeping up with,” Karen recounted. “We weren’t able to do the things we would like to have done. We waited a long time for him, and it was disappointing at this stage in life to be restricted by problems with movement.”
Finding the Right Team
Choosing OrthoIllinois was an easy decision. Karen was already familiar with the practice through her care with Dr. Enke for arthritis and back issues and had always felt well cared for by the entire team.
“Everyone has always been very nice, helpful, upbeat, and cheerful in my experience working with OrthoIllinois,” she shared.
The first step in Karen’s road to recovery happened to take place during a regular visit to OrthoIllinois. While waiting for one of her appointments, she noticed the nameplates for each provider; each Orthoillinois provider was subspecialized within the field of orthopedics. Determined to take the next step in her recovery, Karen asked a team member at the scheduling desk for more information.
“Everybody specializes it seems over here,” Karen noted. “So I asked who did knee and hips.”
Drs. Bottros, Barba, Oyer and Pflederer specialize in total joint care at OrthoIllinois. She made an appointment to see Dr. John Bottros. Her first appointment proved to be a step in the right direction. His care and attention to Karen’s condition left a positive impression.
“I met with Dr. Bottros the first time and was just really impressed with how personal he was in going over what my options were and how we might proceed,” she remembered.
After her initial consultation, Karen felt confident she had found the right surgeon and care team.
Supported Every Step of the Way
A history of weight management challenges meant surgery was not an immediate option. As the pain in her knee continued to progress, Karen scheduled an appointment for injection treatment to alleviate some of the discomfort she was feeling. The day of her appointment arrived, and the routine checkup turned out to be an unforgettable one; Karen had lost some weight and was eligible for knee replacement surgery. She felt hopeful at the thought of being one step closer to pain free.
“I was so excited I can’t begin to tell you,” she shared. “I was floating on air.”
As surgery approached, Karen experienced a mix of anticipation and understandable nervousness. Having known others with varying joint replacement experiences, she wasn’t sure what recovery would look like for her. Fortunately, Dr. Bottros and his team ensured she felt informed and prepared every step of the way.
“Working with the people in the doctor’s office was very well done, very organized,” she explained. “The paperwork was clear. I knew exactly what I was supposed to do. I knew which medications I was to take and which ones I wasn’t.”
Having worked in the healthcare industry herself as a registered nurse, Karen had insight into the processes and expectations for surgery. Learning about the advancements that had been made in the medical field since her departure was a surprise. Expecting to be in the hospital for a couple of days at minimum, Karen was amazed to learn the surgery would be completed outpatient at the OrthoMidwest Surgery Center in Beloit, Wisconsin.
“I can tell you it is a much different world surgically than what I experienced [as a nurse],” she shared. “The biggest shock I had in the whole process was when they said we’re doing this outpatient.”
Trusting the Care Team
The day of surgery arrived, and Karen was curious about the outpatient surgery timeline and how quickly it would go.
“It was very, very quick,” she noted. “I think I was in and out in like four, five hours.”
The Road to Recovery
Her speed of recovery was even more astonishing; the initial walk after surgery resulted in no pain. And, as expected, the next few days of recovery would be challenging, but Karen felt prepared and well-equipped to handle those head on with the instructions provided by her OrthoIllinois care team. A week after surgery, Karen was out shopping with a friend at a local nursery.
“I was astounded at how good I felt,” she recalled. “The trip to get out of the house was 1000x more comfortable than I expected it to be.”
Regular physical therapy played an important role in her recovery, helping her regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
“I’m doing great,” she reported. “At this point there is no problem with that knee.”
Getting Back to What Matters Most
Thinking back to her mobility before surgery, Karen remembers missing out on activities with her grandson. Knee replacement surgery has allowed her to keep up with him and create more cherished memories. A recent family trip to the zoo made evident her recovery progress. While looking ahead and planning more activities with her family, Karen is grateful for the ability to participate in them.
“We rented a house up in Wisconsin, and we’re going up there to spend a week in July,” she mentioned. “I’m not sure we would have been able to do that before.”
Words of Wisdom
For anyone experiencing knee pain and considering joint replacement surgery, Karen’s advice is to “go get it done.”
“I often tell people to go see Dr. Bottros,” she explained. “My experience was so positive that I can’t tell you anything bad about OrthoIllinois.”
