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Total Knee Replacement: A Mother-Daughter Affair
It had been some time since Sally Bates and her mother, Dorothy
Haver, lived under the same roof. But in January 2008, Sally, married
with grown children of her own, was bunking down the hall from
Dorothy. She was also recovering from the same knee surgery.
"Because people are living longer, it's become increasingly common
to see older adults and their grown children having joint replacement
surgery to maintain functioning and a good quality of life," says Joseph
Bogdan, M.D., the orthopedic surgeon who operated on both Sally and
Dorothy at Ocean Medical Center.
Trying to Cope
For years, Dorothy, 84, had suffered from pain in both knees caused by
osteoarthritis. Everyday activities such as getting in and out of a car had
become extremely difficult. Dorothy began using a wheelchair and staying
home more, even declining invitations to family gatherings.
Then Sally began having knee problems, also caused by osteoarthritis.
"The pain in my left knee would not go away," she says. "I limped.
It affected every facet of my life, and it was extremely upsetting."
In June 2007, on the recommendation of Dorothy's physician, Sally
took Dorothy to consult with Dr. Bogdan. He recommended a knee
replacement on Dorothy's right knee and successfully performed the
surgery in September at Ocean Medical Center. It went so well that
Dr. Bogdan recommended Dorothy have surgery on her left knee. Sally
also consulted with Dr. Bogdan on her own knee. He scheduled a knee
replacement for her as well.
"We both had a total knee replacement within two weeks of each
other," recalls Sally. She spent a week at an area rehab center with her
mother. Dorothy spent six weeks there.
Back on Track
Joint replacement isn't for everyone, Dr. Bogdan says, but for the right
candidates the procedure can have dramatic results. "If conservative
treatments have failed, and if our patients are healthy enough for joint
replacement surgery, it may be the best treatment for them," he says.
For Sally and Dorothy, it was just what the doctor ordered. Sally,
now 52, and her husband are once again enjoying leisurely walks on
the beach together. She plans to take golf lessons. Dorothy is back
playing bingo and exercising in the pool.
"I was a little hesitant about the surgery because of my age, but I'm
just so glad Dr. Bogdan suggested I have it," Dorothy says. "I'm getting
around so much better, and I'm feeling great."
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