Presence St. Joseph Medical Center provides active seniors orthopedic options
(Joliet, Ill.) - Joliet resident John MacIntyre could no longer walk up and down the stairs because of the pain in his knee. Exercise was out of the question. The pain was too intense too build up his leg strength. Family activities and driving were becoming a thing of the past. The downward spiral led MacIntyre to believe inactivity was his new "normal."
MacIntyre had been taking pain medications before starting a more progressive treatment of injections that also proved unsuccessful. He was out of nonsurgical options, but like many older patients, MacIntyre was concerned about surgery at the age of 73. But a conversation with a physician changed his life.
"Miraculously, I've never walked better than I do now with my new knee thanks to Dr. Farrell," said MacIntyre, who as a last resort finally opted for knee replacement surgery a few months ago by Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center medical staff president and orthopedic surgeon William Farrell, M.D.
"I should've had my knee replaced a year ago," said MacIntyre. "It's the best thing I ever did. I feel fantastic now. "
Dr. Farrell believes patients are never too old to have a knee replacement as long as appropriate testing determines they are not medically at risk.
"Sometimes older patients are more at risk when they don't elect to have surgery because the risk of falling is so much greater," said Dr. Farrell. "Patients often worry about their quality of life following surgery, but the reality is they will have many more years of active living when their knees are healthy and pain-free."
Louis Bank, who will be 101 years old in December, feels that he also waited too long. He was golfing several times a week before he had his second knee replaced when he was 87. At the time he had advanced degenerative arthritis in his knees causing severe pain.
"Thankfully, Dr. Farrell recommended surgery because I got to play golf for another 10 years," said Bank, who still exercises five days a week at the assisted living facility.
MacIntyre is planning to have surgery on his other troublesome knee next spring now that he gets around easily without a cane and reaps the benefits of his recent knee replacement.
"I'm not waiting too long to take care of this one," said MacIntyre. "I'm enjoying being able to drive and carrying a laundry basket down the stairs. I want to keep doing those things."
MacIntyre added, "Don't be scared to get it done. You'll never know how much you miss walking until you can walk again."
For more information about orthopedic services available at PSJMC, call (815) 727-3030 or visit www.presencehealth.org/saintjoseph-joliet.
Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) is a regional referral center recognized for overall Clinical Excellence. Recently named to the "Top Hospitals" in Chicago area by Chicago magazine, PSJMC serves Will and surrounding counties, including the southwest Chicago suburbs. Located in Joliet, PSJMC offers private patient rooms and world-class health care. Designated as a Primary Stroke Center, Presence Neuroscience Institute also provides 24/7 neurosurgeons, neurologists and neuroendovascular interventionalists. Recognized nationally for advanced cardiac care including a world-class open heart program, PSJMC also offers family-centered obstetrics, and a Level II Trauma Center.
About Presence Health
Created in November 2011, Presence Health is the largest Catholic health system based in Illinois. With over 150 sites of care, including 12 hospitals, Presence health has 20,000 employees, 4,000 medical professionals and a revenue base of $2.6 billion.