Success Stories
 
 
Patient's Letter The week of July 23, 2001 we received a very sincere note of appreciation from the family of an elderly gentleman in Gladwin MI. He had gangrene of a portion of his foot caused by poor blood circulation. When the office was contacted for an appointment he was seen the next day and prompt surgery was performed. As a result, only a limited amputation of a portion of the foot was required rather than the whole leg below the knee if a few more days had passed.
 
  Correction of painful Total Knee Prosthesis with Co-Ordinate Revision Prosthesis from DePuy Orthopaedics, INC.
  Mary Ann:

Mary Ann is 63 years old. She had undergone a left total knee replacement at another hospital in 1994. She did well for several years, but gradually began to have some symptoms in the left knee which were significant. As her symptoms continued, a thorough evaluation of the left knee for possible malfunction and impending failure took place.

This is a prolonged process, but a necessary one to determine the cause of the symptoms in Mary's left knee in order to determine what the best course of treatment should be.

Studies indicated that the prosthesis had apparently loosened in the bone over time and was causing the swelling, pain and clicking symptoms that she was experiencing.

The decision was made with Mary Ann to proceed with revision left total knee surgery. This is a very major decision to make with the patient, because the previous components need to be completely removed and an entirely new prosthesis needs to be placed in the knee. This is an extremely extensive procedure for any patient to undergo. The decision is made very carefully and very thoughtfully, and the procedure is only done if the patient is having sufficient symptoms to warrant such an extensive operation and if the patient agrees it is the only alternative.

Mary Ann came to this decision and on April 29, 2004 she underwent a left total knee revision procedure using the Coordinate Revision System (DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.).

   

This has made an amazing difference in the function, comfort and stability of her left knee.

Postoperatively she was entered into a physical therapy program which she has now completed. Her knee is much more comfortable and functional and she can depend on it. She is no longer using a cane because she feels she has sufficient strength to walk without it.

Mary Ann and I are both very happy that she had the courage to go forward with this revision surgery. Revision total knee surgery is a very specialized subspecialty in the world of total knee replacements. It is extremely extensive surgery for the patient and very difficult surgery for the surgeon to perform. Mary Ann is an example, however, of what success can be achieved when the decision is made that this is the only alternative.

We are very optimistic that her Coordinate Total Knee Revision Prosthesis (DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.) will be a good knee for her many years into the future.
 
 
  LCS Total Knee Replacement, DePuy Orthopaedics, INC.
  Mike:

Mike was 40 years old when his left knee was severely injured on August 13, 1999 as a result of a fall from a fuel tank. He was first taken to Bay Medical Center, but then was transferred to Gratiot Community Hospital in Alma, Michigan because I had attended other orthopedic problems for him in the past.

At the time of his injury he sustained a severe fracture of the knee joint, which is described as a tibial plateau fracture. He was taken to surgery on August 15, 1999 and a large plate and screws were inserted in the left lower leg, below the knee, to stabilize the fracture.

Mike gradually recovered and his fracture healed. He wore a knee brace and did his strengthening exercises religiously.

Frequently fractures of this type gradually developed severe osteoarthritis in the knee. Periodic x-rays showed progressive deterioration of his left knee. Hyalgan injections were helpful two years post injury in relieving some of the arthritis pain. This helped for about a year, and then the pain returned, becoming progressively worse and worse.

By the fall of 2003, four years post-injury, it became obvious to him that his pain level was such that he could not go on with it any longer.

On March 2, 2004 Mike underwent a left total knee replacement with insertion of LCS Total Knee (DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.).

   
Mike is now one year post-surgery and considerably relieved of pain. He is in a younger age group than most for a total knee replacement, but with De Puy's LCS prosthetic system, 95% of LCS total knees placed up to 20 years ago are still functioning satisfactorily.

Mike has every intention of taking good care of his new knee joint and we feel his LCS total knee with its unique design can last him far beyond 20 years. To say that this has transformed his life is an understatement. His LCS total knee replacement has given him a new lease on life.

Mike's story would be a shining example of why the LCS total knee replacement is referred to as the "Legend" of total knees.