My story: When good joints go bad
Ardis Brands takes her new knee for a walk down Hennepin Ave. in Glencoe.
“I was in pain 24/7,” says Ardis Brands of Glencoe.” The simplest things hurt.” Stairs. Bending. Shopping with friends. Sleep was a problem. Getting in and out of the car. With bone-on-bone osteoarthritis in her knee, and almost no cartilage for cushion, over-the- counter and prescription medications were ineffective.
Dr. Christopher Meyer, orthopedic surgeon and consulting specialist at GRHS, told her that he felt the time had come for a knee replacement. Her primary physician at GRHS, Dr. William Hammes, family medicine, agreed – and with that, relief from pain and worry was on her horizon.
Once the surgery was ordered, GRHS physical therapist, Clark Christensen, provided advance education and advice for recovery – therapy twice a week at the hospital and a daily exercise regimen at home. Ready to go, she scheduled her pre-operative exam with Dr. Hammes.
When she was first wheeled into the OR for surgery, Ardis was surprised by the number of people assembled there, just for one “little” knee replacement. “But when I saw Dr. Meyer’s nurse, Jo, and talked with the rest of the surgical team, I felt calmed and relaxed.”
“My son, Ryan, was so impressed with my care. I feel proud to have such a beautiful hospital with gifted doctors, nurses and other staff members in the town that I call home,” says Ardis. “It was so nice to have everything I needed close by – right in town.”
Would she recommend this surgery? “Most definitely! Go for it. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon. Joint replacement is absolutely worth it – I’m walking proof!”
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