Brevard Orthopaedics

I Decided To Have Bilateral Total Knee Replacements

My name is Joyce, I am 83 years young. I used to love traveling, sightseeing, going to church and shopping. Slowly I stopped traveling, sightseeing and going shopping. The pain in my knees stopped me from living my life. I first tried to ignore it. Then I stopped doing the things I loved. I looked forward to going to church then getting in the care and going home to put my feet up.

I was adamant about not having surgery. I would try everything else first. I was afraid. I tried orthotics in my shoes to help with the pain. I tried knee braces to ease the pain. Then I tried shots to my knees called Synvisc, with no real relief. I still wasn’t wanting to shop!

Dr. Lemel and Dr. Graham were very patient with me and never encouraged me to have surgery until I was ready. My husband and family would come to my doctor’s appointment with me for support and to hear what the doctor was telling me.

I decided to have bilateral total knee replacements in September of 2009. I was given education pro operatively. I had surgery at Transylvania Regional Hospital. The staff at the hospital was absolutely wonderful and took excellent care of me. I was in the hospital for 3 –4 days and then transferred to Transylvania Rehab Center where I received excellent care and therapy. I was so surprised to have been placed on a bike within days of my surgery! I followed the instructions from my therapists. I was doing therapy two to three times a day. My family was there to support me which made me feel comfortable and secure. I went home within two weeks and continued therapy from Brevard Home Health Care- again excellent care and concern. I was improving so rapidly that they discharged me early!

Today, one year later, I am my old self-traveling, sightseeing, shopping and of course daily church!

My deepest thanks to Dr. Lemel, Dr. Graham and the whole team for getting me back to my life.

Love,
Joyce Schank

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think you should be called “The Dream Team”!