Patient Stories
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute
Darlene- New Knee, New Life
For years, Darlene suffered with knee pain. "I had trouble walking, even short distances. I was almost always in pain," she says. "I am a polio survivor; one of my legs is weaker than the other. My good leg's knee started giving out on me in my fifties and it kept getting worse."
Darlene talked to her doctor and friends about knee-replacement surgery – an obvious solution – or so she thought. "At the time I was living in New Mexico, and my doctor said I was too young for a knee replacement, despite my chronic pain and difficulty moving around. So, I just lived with it," she says. "After I moved to Sacramento, I further hurt my leg after a fall. My physician referred me to Dr . Hunter Greene at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. That was one of the best things that happened to me."
As soon as she met Dr. Greene, Darlene felt like she was in good hands. "Dr. Greene was confident and friendly," she says. "He took a lot of time to talk to me about my options and answer all of my questions. When I asked about knee-replacement surgery, he said I was a candidate. I was grateful I finally had a doctor who was willing to consider my quality of life as an important factor."
Dr. Greene convinced Darlene to try Cortisone injections before resorting to major surgery. "I have to admit I was surprised at how effective the shots were. For the first time in ages, I had no pain," she says. "However, having the shot administered was almost unbearable. And, unfortunately, the effects of Cortisone don't last that long. I couldn't see myself repeatedly going to the doctor's office for shots that gave me limited relief for the rest of my life, so I decided to move ahead with the knee-replacement operation."
Darlene's surgery at Sutter Roseville Medical Center went well, with no complications. "They were so accommodating to me there," she says. "From my anesthesiologist and nurses to the cleaning crew and meal servers – everyone was wonderful. And I can't say enough about Dr. Greene. He is the best doctor. He gave me a much better life."
Darlene was discharged from the hospital after a four-day stay. She and Dr. Greene had planned out her post-operative care in advance, so she went home with no questions or concerns.
"I took pain killers and did physical therapy for a few weeks following the surgery. I was amazed at my range of motion and lack of pain," she says. "It's now been several months since my knee replacement, and I feel great. Getting around is much easier. I don't hobble from room to room in my house anymore. I no longer need the electric wheelchairs at the grocery store. And I haven't used my cane since the surgery. I am grateful to Dr. Greene for helping me change my life for the better."