Patient Stories
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute
Betty - New Knees Help with Recovery
Having knee replacement surgery on both knees has been a major determinant in Betty’s recovery from a recent surgery to replace a defective heart valve.
Arthritis created such crippling pain in both of Betty’s knees that she was unable to get around her own house without the help of a walker. The only way she could shop was to go to a store with an electric shopping cart that she could ride in.
In order to free up the pain, Betty underwent knee replacement surgery for her left knee with orthopedic surgeon, Joel Lubin, M.D. The relief was so great that a mere six months later she went back to Dr. Lubin to have her right knee replaced.
“I was amazed there was no pain in my knees after the surgery,” she said. “There was some general soreness from surgery but there wasn’t any pain in my knees at all.”
Last year Betty underwent heart surgery. As part of the recovery process she participates in a cardiac rehabilitation program that requires her to walk on a treadmill and pedal an exercise machine. “I’m so grateful for my new knees because I wouldn’t be able to take part in this important recovery program without them,” said Betty. “Not only is the exercise program benefiting my heart, it’s also benefiting my overall health. It makes me wish I’d had my knee replacements done much earlier so that I would have felt this great so much sooner.”