Stephanie’s Story
I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in summer 1993 at age 21. The degeneration of my joints was a gradual process. I slowly lost the ability to walk long distances, to endure the pivoting required to dance earnestly and to move quickly to play racquetball and volleyball. By summer 2014, I could no longer make it through a box store on my feet and had to park a few yards from storefronts. Going to the gym required me to walk further to the entry than I could tolerate most days. Participating in family events depended heavily on the terrain I would have to walk through or the slope of the walkway. Cleaning the house and fixing meals became major challenges.
When I started a dream volunteer job and realized I could not do the minimal physical tasks necessary for the position, I decided to have my knee replaced.
My surgery was in late August 2014. Within three weeks I descended our home's stairs one foot after the other. At one month, I bent to trim my own toenails. Within six weeks I shopped most of the day, outlasting my physically healthy spouse. In early December, I walked around downtown Portland, Ore., occasionally walking faster than my spouse. In late January, I danced for hours at a party. I can pedal a bicycle now. I’m not scared to try ascending and descending a grassy slope. I can be active multiple days in a row. Last weekend I stood in place for more than a couple of minutes on three different occasions. I am pleased with my decision to have surgery.
I should have pushed harder for knee replacement 10 years ago, but my doctors were resistant because I was in my early 30s then. My life experiences and those of my family may have been much different. I was open with my support system about what I was facing and what I needed, and everyone was incredibly kind and generous. I was advised repeatedly to do the rehabilitation exercises diligently, and I continue to do them a year out. Have surgery when you are ready.
