Joseph’s Story
What was life like before joint replacement?
I was in pain 24 hours a day and had to sleep sitting up. I could barely walk, even with a cane. I had to stop playing golf and basically, stop all other activities.
What was the turning point for you?
I chose to move forward with surgery when I could only sleep in a recliner, propped up in certain positions with pillows, and the slightest move led to a painful awakening—and nothing eased the pain.
How has joint replacement changed your life?
Life after surgery has been amazingly pain free. I’m doing more than I did in the past. I do 12 miles on a bike in a gym three days a week, and I marched 33 blocks in the New York City Columbus Day Parade. I walked all over Normandy seeing D-Day sights, and I also walked up and down a couple of mountain villages nearly pain free.
What advice would you give others considering joint replacement?
I did a few months of therapy prior to surgery, which was very painful prior to my surgery. The day after my surgery, I was walking with almost no pain, and every day there was less and less. In less than three weeks, I was pain free, and I have not needed pain relievers, not even over the counter. I just had my second checkup, and I feel amazing. The pre- and postop therapy made recovery a dream.
