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Joint Patient Folo
October 26, 2007
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Recovering from joint replacement surgery can mean several weeks of hard work and
rehabilitation. A couple of months ago George Beatty underwent his second knee replacement
surgery.
Dr. Kurtis Biggs has been George’s orthopedic surgeon for both procedures. “Mr.
Beatty has some differences as far as uniqueness in that he had two knee replacements
within four weeks of each other.
Although they’re both his knees they are two different
knees and they’ve recovered in a different manner.”
George says, “When I came home the first week I was like ok I can move but that’s
about it. It’s just taking a little bit longer getting the strength back in the
second knee.”
On average patients like George spend about two days in the hospital after a hip
or knee replacement. For at least another four weeks they go through physical therapy
to regain strength and range of motion.
George says his therapy was invaluable. “They helped me to get my basic strength
and learn what I had to do and what exercises I had to do and the correct way to
do them.”
Dr. Biggs saw changes in Beatty’s recovery the second time around. “You could see
some of the differences as far as his levels of understanding of what he could do
and what he could so called get away with.”
Now almost four months into recovery, George and his surgeon see better days ahead.
“I’m getting to the point where I’m starting going
up and down stairs and stuff
without too much trouble. I can get around a lot better, I’m more mobile. I can
drive again,” says George.
“In George’s case he’s going to be able to work, ultimately climbing ladders and
returning to installation of cables.
You can see the smile on their face and the
gratitude of being able to participate in their life again as opposed to watching
it go by,” says Dr. Biggs.
Research shows that within the next 20 years the number of knee and hip replacements
performed will dramatically increase thanks to aging baby boomers.
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