I waited over 15 years to decide to have total knee replacements. My arthritis got worse, and the medications didn’t work as well as they had. I’d been told to wait until I really knew it was time to do something drastic. So I did.

After seeing my surgeon, I went to “Joint Camp” and learned about the procedure and how to prepare myself physically and how to set up my house to make getting around easier. The first knee was replaced Oct. 23, 2014. I was told it could take up to a year for full healing.

After that, every day was different from the one before and I benefited from physical therapy both in-home and in a physical therapy office.

Five months later, I had the second knee replaced. It seemed to go more smoothly than the first. But still, daily exercise and physical therapy were most helpful, and my husband proved an excellent caregiver.

I made progress, regressed and improved again several times for various unrelated reasons. I wasn’t sure if things would ever even out so that I could walk easily on both legs.

I recently went to the mall for Christmas shopping. I drove, parked, got out and walked into the mall. I walked for over an hour feeling stable and very comfortable. I could not have done that a year ago.

The available technology and my surgeon’s skill are amazing and have greatly improved my life! I can’t recommend it highly enough, but you have to be patient – recuperation could take a while.

Edie Davidson

Cape Elizabeth


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