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golden times
MOND A Y, O C TO B E R 7, 2 0 1 3
New generation of implants adds mileage to worn-out knees By Landon Hall
The Orange County Register
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Denise Olson danced at her daughter’s wedding. That might not sound like a profound accomplishment, but it was a moment she could only dream of a few months earlier. Arthritis had worn away so much of the cartilage in Olson’s right knee
it was just bone grinding on bone. The pain had steadily worsened for two years, making it difficult for her to walk up the stairs of her home. She teaches first-grade in Irvine, Calif., and it’s tough to meet the all-day needs of 30 kids when you can barely rise from your chair. On April 23, she had total knee replacement surgery. Four weeks later, she was back in class. On July 13, her daughter Lauren got
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married and Denise was able to walk down the aisle. Later, during the reception, when Denise and her husband, Chad, were sitting together, the DJ played “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones, which happens to be the couple’s song. He invited her onto the dance floor. She accepted. “Just the two of us got up and danced on the floor. It was wonderful,” said Olson, who is 54. “I got to dance with my daughter and my son-in-law. And the party went on until the closing hours.” Better implants, improved surgical techniques and a more indepth understanding of how to treat a patient’s pain during and after surgery have helped make toRegister/Jeff Harris (MCT) tal knee replacements available to Jerry Brooks takes a break from jogging in a wider patient base, from youngNewport Beach, Calif. er people like Olson to long-suffering seniors. The evolution of the procedure replacements were performed in up their active lifestyles without a comes at a time of surging de- the United States last year, and that fight. “I would say at least half of my mand: About 600,000 total knee number is expected to increase to 3.5 million a year by 2030. patient population is under 65,” “The need for surgery is ex- Caillouette said. “Twenty years ploding,” Dr. James T. Caillouette ago, that was not the case. But it’s said, surgeon in chief at Hoag Or- not unusual for me to see a patient thopedic Institute in Irvine. in their late 30s or 40s with endShorter hospital stays and fast- stage arthritis who needs surgery. er, less painful recovery periods We used to be very fearful of dohave made the operation popu- ing that, because we didn’t think lar among patients who are both the implants would last very long. older and younger than used to Now, with the new generation of be the norm for such candidates. designs and materials, they look Baby boomers are hitting the age like they’re going to last a very at which their knees are wearing long time, 20 to 30 years or lonout, and they’re not willing to give ger.”
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SENIOR FAIR2013
Cit C ity C ounciill City Council 394289JG_13
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