Sudden Knee Pain Stops Amy from Enjoying Family and Fun
After nearly three decades of standing on her feet in retail management, Amy Garstang, 65, Davenport, was ready for retirement and all the wonderful joy she envisioned: chaperoning her seven grandkids, creating more of her arts and crafts she sells online, enjoying her woodworking, and thrifting with her daughter — that is until she couldn’t walk.
“The pain came on so suddenly in my right knee, it was like a light switch.” Her pain became debilitating right before the holiday shopping season. “Before I knew it, I had to have an ‘Amazon Christmas.’”
Amy recalls thinking that, as she was laid up and barely able to walk, if she couldn’t order her family’s presents online and have them delivered, she’d pass on buying the gift at all.
“The pain got so bad; I couldn’t shop. It hurt to stand, so I sat and then it started to swell. My movement was so limited, and it just got worse.”
Crafting again without pain!
Amy and Dr. Hussain Discuss Options and Next Steps
Amy consulted with ORA Total Joint Replacement Surgeon, Dr. Waqas Hussain, who began conservative treatment with a cortisone shot. But the pain returned in less than a week.
“While initial X-rays looked okay, the subsequent MRI showed much more arthritis and then we talked about options,” says Dr. Hussain. Amy says she wondered how the pain came on so quickly.
“Many patients do experience gradual knee pain over weeks, months and even years, but for some like Amy, it really is like a light switch and their body screams in immediate pain.”
In fact, Amy’s case is indicative of a growing trend for American seniors. The National Institutes of Health reports osteoarthritis is becoming more prevalent as the US population ages.
“Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent joint disease and a leading source of chronic pain and disability in the United States…Knee osteoarthritis accounts for more than 80% of the disease’s total burden and affects at least 19% of American adults aged 45 years and older.”
Amy is back on her feet and enjoying fall woodworking projects.
“I see patients who can go from no pain to a lot of pain very quickly,” explains Dr. Hussain. “If someone has a meniscus or soft tissue with mild arthritis, we typically will clean it out with an arthroscope. But as in Amy’s case, it was severe enough that knee replacement surgery was the optimum solution for the long term.”
Dr. Waqas Hussain,
ORA Orthopedics
Ready for a Total Knee Replacement and Physical Therapy
Amy agreed and following the holidays, Dr. Hussain performed an outpatient total knee replacement.
“I had surgery in the morning at 9 o’clock and was back home the very next morning. My PT came to get me up and walking that afternoon following my procedure.
“Yes, the first day was hard, but my whole recovery has been amazing. The PTs are great. They really pushed me, and I pushed myself pretty hard. Three or four weeks later, I was walking without pain. It felt so good!”
Eight months later Amy is back as chief taxi driver for her seven grandchildren.
“They are growing up and playing softball, baseball, and golf. I take them where they need to be. I love it! I also love to thrift with my daughter. I’m happy to be crafting and woodworking again without pain, too.”
Dr. Hussain says it’s gratifying to see his patients return to the joy of their lives. “She’s doing well. It makes me so happy. She went from debilitation to enjoying her life, and it’s satisfying to see her healthy and pursuing her hobbies.”
