Double Knee Replacement: Steve's Story
Steve Gebauer successfully tackled two knee replacements at once
"I remember the day after my double knee surgery very well—it was the first time in many years that I woke up without pain.
"What a change for me. I had been struggling with knee problems since I was 10 years old. Playing baseball and football growing up, I hurt the right knee and then the left. Later, it meant that I couldn’t do a lot of activities without pain. I couldn’t play softball with my son and I had to give up umpiring baseball games. I couldn’t go for walks with my wife, or even stand to watch my daughter compete in bowling. I was edgy with my family and had to take pain medication.
"I had knee scope operations that helped some, but the pain was still barely tolerable. I knew it was time to consider a total knee replacement. But like a lot of orthopaedic surgeons, Roger Chams, MD doesn’t usually recommend doing both knees at once. Just one joint replacement is a tough experience that involves months of rehab.
"But I was determined to get my mobility back, and Dr. Chams agreed that I was young enough and committed to working hard to make the operation a success. We collaborated on how to approach the surgeries, and I was out of the hospital and in rehab in two days.
"With my family’s help in the exercise program, I can now use the stairs and I have a 130-degree range of motion. My rehabilitation isn’t over, but I’ve regained mobility four months after surgery. I can even sit in a boat and fish without pain. None of this would have been possible without Dr. Chams and the support of my family."
