Amelia Island Orthopedics

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Reidinger Knee Replacement

One of the nice things about having a surgical practice in a small community like Fernandina is that it really gives you the opportunity to get to know your patients. I often see my patients when I am out to the movies, dinner, or the grocery store. I have made house calls for some, and have been fortunate to get to play golf with others. One such patient invited me out for golf recently, and it was quite a day.

Frank Reidinger is a 66 year old male who has been bothered by an arthritic knee for several years now. Once an avid tennis player and runner, his activities had been cut back to playing golf and riding his bike. But even these were now done with tremendous difficulty because of his knee. He also noted that as the years had passed, his legs took on a more bowed appearance.

Frank had been treated over the years with a variety of different medications, exercises, and injections. As time went on, these became less helpful, and his quality of life became more intolerable. Frank and I had talked about knee replacement surgery for a number of years, but he never felt like he was ready, until now.

His physical examination certainly suggested that he was ready. He showed significant swelling, popping and snapping, and reduced motion of his knee. His x-rays showed that he had completely worn away the cartilage coating on the end of the bone and the meniscal pad. An arthroscopy was felt to be of little benefit to him, and we further discussed the risks and benefits of knee replacement surgery, and he decided to move forward.

His surgery was performed at Baptist Medical Center – Nassau, and after a few days in the hospital, he went home. Several hours a day, he would use a device called a CPM or continuous passive motion machine, which would bend his knee back and forth, helping him regain his range of motion. He also had outpatient physical therapy three times a week.

As the weeks went by, Frank showed consistent progress. Six weeks after surgery, he was ready to return to golf. While he struggled early on, as time went by he continued to show improvement. Ten weeks after surgery, he asked me to join him.

I met Frank, an 18-handicap, on the first tee at the Golf Club of Amelia Island. After a well struck drive, he took a 5-wood to the green, about 18 feet from the pin. He lined up his putt, and started the ball on its way. When the ball was about half way to the hole, he started walking after it like Tiger Woods when he knows the ball is going to drop….Birdie on the first hole. It went much like that the whole day for Frank. He played like the old man who plays in the driving rain in Caddyshack You know the one, who can do no wrong and hits career shot after career shot.

When the day ended, we added them up. I am a 5-handicap and shot 77. My partner, the 18-handicapper shot a career low 83, just ten weeks out from surgery. It was one of the most enjoyable rounds I have ever had. If you are living with chronic knee pain, replacement surgery may be right for you. It may change your life, or at least improve your golf game.

This column is written to discuss issues regarding sports, medicine, and safety. It is not intended to serve as a replacement for treatment by your regular doctor. It is only designed to offer guidelines on the prevention, recognition, and care of injuries and illness. Specific concerns should be discussed with your physician. Mail your questions to Gregory Smith, MD - Sportsmedicine, 1250 S. 18th Street, Suite 204, Fernandina Beach, Fl 32034. For appointment call, 904 261-8787 : www.gsmithmd.com

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