I RECOMMEND GOING FOR TWO WITH THE LP TEAM!
“I RECOMMEND GOING FOR TWO WITH THE LP TEAM! - March 2014
I've been active my whole life, bowling, running, hiking, etc. Up to about 5 years ago, my weight fluctuated up & down for 40 years, at times being over by 30-50 pounds. In 2011, severe pain struck my right knee for the first time at 59 years old. In 2012, I my RN sister referred me to Dr. David Lopez who had done some successful work on her previously. He gave me a 2nd-opinion diagnosis of arthritis in my right knee. A replacement option was first presented here. I opted for his prescribed PT instead. After I finished six weeks, I didn't feel much better and discontinued it. Then, to my surprise, I started to feel a "mirror image" pain in my left knee. Of course, this was concerning. I went back to Dr. Lopez in the fall of 2013. We did another round MRI's and X-Rays on both knees, then discussed right knee replacement again. This time, I started to consider it. Through more thorough discussion, Dr. Lopez brought up the idea of bi-lateral replacement since my left knee was following suit. My initial reaction to that was a typical "NFW, two?", but Dr. Lopez reassured me, with his experience and today's technology, it could be done easier than you think. He said "many don't come back for the second surgery or spend too many years in between in doing so," but when he specifically pointed out that the recovery time between a single & double replacement were virtually the same, I started to think more seriously. I crunched all the numbers: The eventual out-of-pocket cost, my health & age, my current insurance, financial and professional statuses plus âAll that time' spent out of work, the pre-op blood work, cardio screening, the surgery itself, in & out rehabilitation, home recovery, extra doctor visits, hashing it out with insurance companies, putting people out, and dealing with all the pain, suffering, worry & the stress of it all! âAll that time' and anxiety would be doubled! One more major logistic considered: The symmetrical rehabbing of both knees at the same time being physically advantageous. There is no favoring of one side to another as with a single. Both grow stronger & heal together at the same time. I had a Dr. Spock moment. I told the doctor, "We're going for two!"
Surgeon Dr. Lopez & his associate Dr. Jeanette Parsons were awesome in a 5 ½ hr. surgery that went off without a hitch, including the nerve blocking anesthesia that made the pain very manageable. Of course with help of meds, in the 2 months since the surgery, I've never experienced a pain level more that 5 (1-10), including the day of & after surgery. I was on my feet for my first hospital rehab 26 hours after start of surgery, albeit four small sliding steps in the walker to the wheelchair. While in 9-day rehab, I worked therapy twice a day, took my first four âfree-steps', then was back home without the wheelchair 15-days after surgery. A week later, I was out of the walker. Ten days after that, I drove my car. I was back to work 31-days after surgery.
There was never ANY excruciating pain, just knee soreness & leg weakness. The hardest moments were getting out of bed in the mornings! From moment one, there have been no complications. The surgical incisions have been progressively healing very nicely. Twice a week outpatient therapy and daily icing of the knees continues. I never used crutches or canes.
I lost total use of my legs initially, but was fortunate in knowing they would come back. I certainly gained a new understanding and respect for paraplegics who are not that fortunate. God Bless you all! All in all, there were many exhausting tough moments to get through, but the tiny miracles that followed each one were a reward for staying positive and trusting those who were there to help. I have many, many people to thank, but most of all my surgeons. First, I awoke from the surgery! 😉 I am now a bionic man! (still waiting on that $6M though?;) I consider myself blessed & very lucky. I am a success story because of others and my own will to live better. I learned a lot about human struggle, perseverance, caring, love and overcoming fear! The whole experience was truly uplifting!
Thank You Dr. David Lopez & Dr.Jeanette Parsons. You're the best in my book! Ever forward...one step at a time!
-James Paul Freshnock-
Neptune City, NJ
James Paul Freshnock - Bi-Lateral Knee Replacement
5
2019-11-25T15:42:02+00:00
James Paul Freshnock - Bi-Lateral Knee Replacement
“I RECOMMEND GOING FOR TWO WITH THE LP TEAM! - March 2014 I've been active my whole life, bowling, running, hiking, etc. Up to about 5 years ago, my weight fluctuated up & down for 40 years, at times being over by 30-50 pounds. In 2011, severe pain struck my right knee for the first time at 59 years old. In 2012, I my RN sister referred me to Dr. David Lopez who had done some successful work on her previously. He gave me a 2nd-opinion diagnosis of arthritis in my right knee. A replacement option was first presented here. I opted for his prescribed PT instead. After I finished six weeks, I didn't feel much better and discontinued it. Then, to my surprise, I started to feel a "mirror image" pain in my left knee. Of course, this was concerning. I went back to Dr. Lopez in the fall of 2013. We did another round MRI's and X-Rays on both knees, then discussed right knee replacement again. This time, I started to consider it. Through more thorough discussion, Dr. Lopez brought up the idea of bi-lateral replacement since my left knee was following suit. My initial reaction to that was a typical "NFW, two?", but Dr. Lopez reassured me, with his experience and today's technology, it could be done easier than you think. He said "many don't come back for the second surgery or spend too many years in between in doing so," but when he specifically pointed out that the recovery time between a single & double replacement were virtually the same, I started to think more seriously. I crunched all the numbers: The eventual out-of-pocket cost, my health & age, my current insurance, financial and professional statuses plus âAll that time' spent out of work, the pre-op...
https://lopezortho.com/testimonials/i-recommend-going-for-two-with-the-lp-team/