A New Beginning After Two Total Knee Replacements

by Belinda English

Who knew the year 2012 would be the start of life altering events that would forever change me? These events further were to foreshadow the need for two total knee replacements!

My name is Belinda English. I am 58 years young, lol. I am a retired federal law enforcement officer, a wife, and mother. And I am mother-in-law and proud “Noni” (grandmother) of five beautiful grandchildren under the age of 10 years.

My Three Life-Altering Events

My journey began in July 2012, when I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes – 1st life altering event. That September I awakened in a panic in the middle of the night. I realized I had forgotten to take my evening diabetes medication.

In my haste to run to the kitchen, I tripped over my grandson’s car seat in the hallway. I fell “full body” on my right knee on ceramic tile flooring. A torn the meniscus in my right knee – my 2nd life altering event. I literally felt the tissue/tendons “pop” in my knee: It was horrific pain.

The next morning, my right knee was terribly swollen. I could not walk on it at all due to the severe pain and swelling. Mind you, I was still employed full time in law enforcement, so the need for a diagnosis and treatment plan was first and foremost. Subsequently I had arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus and clean out bone debris.

I also underwent eight weeks of physical therapy before I was able to return to work. Further, I learned during this experience that the healing process and recovery time is longer for diabetics versus non-diabetics. It really took a long time before I felt like my right knee was functional again.

Events Come in Three's, Right?

The 3rd life altering event occurred in August 2013. I was out shopping, and my left leg buckled unexpectedly. I immediately felt excruciating pain and had difficulty walking back to my car.  A visit to the orthopedic surgeon who repaired my right knee in 2012 revealed a degenerative tear in the left meniscus. Extra pressure and altered walking pattern developed because of the right knee injury.  Subsequently I had arthroscopic surgery to repair the left knee as well and thus began my journey of knee deterioration…lol.

My Diagnosis

The orthopedic surgeon I had at that time said I had very little cartilage left in either knee. To preserve my knee functionality for as long as possible I would need to lose about 50 lbs. to lessen the pressure on my knee joints. He further advised that once the cartilage in either knee was completely gone, I would have relentless, excruciating bone-on-bone pain. Additionally my knees would need to be replaced, as I had nothing left in either knee to repair.

Last Year, Total Knee Replacement Became Inevitable

Fast forward to August 2017.  I awoke one morning and literally could not walk or put pressure on my right leg. The pain was excruciating and constant. So I knew I had reached the “bone on bone point of no return” and a total knee replacement (TKR) was inevitable.

I met Dr. Robert Ference, my current orthopedic surgeon in September 2017. Dr. Ference confirmed my right knee was beyond repair and would need to be replaced. Dr. Ference is an excellent and gifted surgeon. He is also a devoted believer of Jesus Christ and attributed his surg...