Patient Testimonial
Tom, ADVANCE® Medial-Pivot Knee
Tom, a 63-year-old Kirkwood resident, was planning to report for army service in Vietnam at age 19 when he was involved in a serious car accident that required amputation of his right leg above the knee. Tom was immediately outfitted with an artificial leg and worked hard to adapt. He relearned to walk, returned to work, and reclaimed an active lifestyle. An avid bowler throughout his childhood, Tom was back on the lanes several years after his accident and spent the next thirty years bowling competitively in a weekly league. Even with his artificial leg, Tom was able to keep up with his teammates, eventually boasting an average of 205.
Watch VideoTen years ago, a series of events occurred that, once again, significantly impacted Tom's quality of life - leaving him unable to bowl, complete house work or live comfortably. After he began to experience a sharp recurring pain and soreness in his left knee, he was diagnosed with arthritis. Synthetic injections yielded little improvement, so he relied on periodic cortisone injections to deal with the pain. Despite being told that he was a candidate for knee replacement, Tom continued to put up with the pain. To his dismay however, Tom's bowling scores suffered, dropping to an average of 183.
In late February 2006, Tom had a freak accident which resulted in the patella being ripped completely off his knee cap. He saw his doctor the next day and had surgery to repair the patella tendon two days later. However, after a two month recovery, Tom's arthritis pain began to worsen. In May 2006, during a follow up visit, Tom was referred to Dr. Paul Lux, who recommended a total knee replacement. Tom underwent the procedure in August 2006 and was implanted with the ADVANCE® Medial-Pivot Knee from Wright. Wright's knee replacement is designed to mimic Tom's natural knee movement and range of motion, while helping to distribute his weight evenly when he bends his knee, which reduces wear and prolongs longevity.
Tom was walking on his new knee just hours following his surgery and spent only two-and-a-half days in the hospital. Building up knee strength by hitting the gym three times a week, Tom returned to bowling just three months after his operation. Shaky at first, Tom got right back into the groove and started bowling more frequently than he had in ten years.
But, Tom's story did not end there as his heightened activity started to put a strain on his left hip. Once again unable to bowl comfortably, Tom paid Dr. Lux another visit in June 2008 and was informed that a total hip replacement would reduce his hip pain, enabling him to bowl with ease and to return to other normal activities. The following month, Tom was outfitted with a CONSERVE® TotalHip with BFH® Technology, manufactured by Wright. The implant is made with a large femoral head that mimics the true femoral head size of a healthy adult, which can also help an active patient experience a much improved range of motion.
After his hip procedure, Tom spent just two days in the hospital and returned to bowling after three months of recovery. Today, Tom walks pain-free and has regained normal activity. At his most recent follow-up visit last summer, Dr. Lux reported that both Tom's hip and knee continue to be in strong, working condition. In November 2009, Tom was inducted into the St. Louis USBC Bowling Congress Hall of Fame for Merit Service to Youth. Tom continues to coach kids at his local bowling center and bowls in the low-190s, an improvement from his pre-surgery scores. Tom says, "I was skeptical of surgery at first, but I owe my active life and my bowling game to Dr. Lux!"
Wright Medical's ADVANCE® Medial-Pivot knee replacement implant is designed to reproduce normal motion and more closely replicate the knee's natural anatomy and help provide more patient confidence and stability than other knee implants.
The CONSERVE® Total Hip is designed to mimic the natural kinematics of the hip. It features a larger femoral head ball and socket design that more closely matches the sizing of a natural femoral head, resulting in greater range of motion, which may reduce the incidence of dislocation. In addition, the implant's metal-on-metal bearing surface offers the benefits of added durability and reduced wear compared to alternative treatment options. Furthermore, the larger ball enables a greater range of motion without impingement of the hip, allowing most patients to enjoy a wider range of activities after their surgery. This can make a big different to those trying to return to a more normal, active lifestyle.
Only a physician can tell you if these products and associated procedures are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes. These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.
