Patient Stories
Joyce Watson, Total Knee Replacement
Glenwood, MN
“They took the time to explain everything to me. I wanted to know how the Joint Replacement Center was going to help change my life. I wanted to know how I was going to recover from my total knee replacement.
Much of my life, I worked in positions that required a lot of walking. I was once a yard master, a janitor, and a tax appraiser for farm properties. So, my knees felt the impact of my 5’10” frame. The pain became so intrusive that spending time with my family became a chore. I love helping my 12 grandkids, visiting the zoo, and sightseeing, but I felt limited because of the pain and having to use a cane to get around.
When I opted for arthroscopic knee surgery, the deterioration of the cartilage in my knee was worse than the surgeon expected. The cartilage was gone and the pain I felt was a result of the bone-on-bone impact.
I met with Dr. Paul Dale to discuss my treatment options, and I decided to enroll at the Joint Replacement Center at Douglas County Hospital for a total knee replacement. Dr. Dale along with the joint coordinator and the nursing staff were extremely helpful and thorough in answering all my questions regarding the procedure and recovery.
I participated in the presurgery exercises as well as prescreening, and I read the guidebook they gave me-front to back. I was encouraged to bring my husband, and care provider, with me to all my meetings so we all knew what to expect. When the procedure was done and I was in recovery, we attended the reunion luncheon with Dr. Dale to ask any questions I had about my recovery.
Six months out from my procedure and with summer approaching, I can’t wait to get back in the swing of things. I certainly won’t feel limited anymore!”
Glenna Walker, Total Knee Replacement
Sauk Centre, MN
“You might refer to me as a traveler. It has been my goal to travel the world. I recently visited Japan and walked nearly five to six miles a day. However, when I returned, I was more than ready to address the nagging pain in my knee.
Already, I knew that there wasn’t any cartilage left in my knee, so, it was no surprise that I could barely walk after returning from my trip. I visited Dr. Paul Dale and we discussed a total knee replacement at the Joint Replacement Center at Douglas County Hospital.
As a way to motivate myself I scheduled two trips, one to Mexico and another to Arizona. I was now committed to my recovery. Everyone at the Joint Replacement Center was excellent; they cheered me on and were extremely attentive to my needs and goals. Following my procedure, I participated in the physical therapy competition aimed at getting us moving. I was determined to beat the other joint replacement patients!
Since my return from Arizona, I have remained committed to my recovery. I have ditched my cane and walker, and I have enrolled myself in pool therapy. My total joint replacement experience at the Joint Replacement Center at Douglas County Hospital was nothing but a great experience!”
Roger Sunvold, Total Hip Replacement
Sacred Heart, MN
“From start to finish, I was taken care of at the Joint Replacement Center at Douglas County Hospital. They had me back at work within weeks of my total hip replacement.
I dealt with unbearable hip pain for a year and a half before I decided to visit a doctor. My primary care physician informed me that my hip was close to crumbling and referred me to Dr. Thomas Dudley.
Dr. Dudley strongly encouraged me to consider a total hip replacement due to the severity of my arthritis. My first thought was my farm, my livelihood. For a year leading up to surgery, I had been using a cane for assistance around my land, and yet, I couldn’t think of leaving it for weeks during recovery. So, I pushed it off.
When I finally made the decision to proceed, my surgery was scheduled according to my needs. I chose a time in December when farming was slow. Prior to surgery, I participated in an education seminar hosted by the Joint Replacement Center at Douglas County Hospital and was given a guidebook that shared everything that I could expect prior to my procedure and through my recovery.
The day after surgery I was walking. Within one week I was out and about, after three weeks I was on my tractor, and during my sixth week I could lift. I couldn’t believe it! I was back to work without a cane or walker. ”
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Douglas County Hospital Orthopedics
111 17th Avenue East
Alexandria, MN 56308
Coordinator: (320) 762-6661
www.DCHospital.com
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