Patient Success Stories
Back on course after joint replacement surgery
 Richard began playing sports as a child
and he has continued to play
since. While attending Notre Dame he played
both baseball and basketball. And Richard went
on to play professional basketball with the Detroit
Pistons.
Thoughout the years, Richard has maintained
an active professional and personal lifestyle. In
fact, one of his favorite ways to unwind and relax
from the stresses of life is on the golf course. But,
after years of running down the basketball court,
followed by years of twisting, squatting and walking
on the golf course, Richard began experiencing
stiffness and pain in his knees.
He made an appointment to see his family’s
orthopaedic physician at South Bend Orthopaedics.
After examining Richard and ordering diagnostics,
the board-certified orthopaedic surgeon explained
to him that he was suffering from osteoarthritis
and degenerative joint disease in his knees, the
condition was worse in Richard’s left knee.
Degenerative joint disease stems from wear
and tear on the knee and typically affects those
in middle age and older. Osteoarthritis causes the
cartilage to erode away, when this happens the
bone rubs on bone, which is painful.
The SBO surgeon suggested he exhaust
conservative care options, like anti-inflammatories
and knee strengthening exercises, before surgery.
Richard agreed to do so, but as time went by, his
mild and sporadic knee pain was worsening and
becoming chronic. Simple activities like walking
were becoming difficult. Golf was now impossible
because of the pain.
Richard again visited his orthopaedic surgeon
at SBO to seek some relief. The surgeon took an
MRI of his painful left knee and discussed with
him the total knee replacement surgery necessary
to resurface the diseased joint. Richard knew he
wanted to return to his normal activity level and
decided to move forward with the surgery. When
asked why he chose South Bend Orthopaedics,
Richard reflects by saying, “The surgeon gave me
confidence that the total knee replacement was not
only the right option, but the best treatment option
for my painful knee. He made certain I understood
what to expect before and after surgery”.
Richard’s recovery from knee surgery was
successful and he returned to his normal activity
level within five months.
While his left knee felt great, he soon noticed
increased stiffness and pain in his right knee. Over
the years, he had discussed with his surgeon that
surgery may be necessary for the right arthritic knee
also. When Richard could no longer bear the pain
and stiffness associated with the diseased joint,
he decided to have the right knee replacement surgery. This took place about two years after the
the left knee surgery and Richard was happy to
have the same successful results. He returned to his
full activity level - including golf - without pain and
stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.
A few years later, when Richard began having
pain into his left hip, he did not hesitate to visit
the orthopaedic specialist at SBO. Richard was
diagnosed with osteoarthritis and degenerative
joint disease in his left hip.
He first tried non-surgical treatment options,
which offered temporary but not lasting relief from
his hip pain. Richard then decided to have the total
hip replacement surgery necessary to repair his
diseased joint. The surgery was successful.
He is no longer limited in activity and enjoys
riding his bike for exercise once again. “I’m back on
the golf course several days a week now, without
the joint pain,” Richard states.
Click here to download a PDF of Richard's successful recovery from joint replacement surgery at South Bend Orthopaedics in Indiana.
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