From Constant Pain to Playing with His Grandkids Again: Clarence Hughes’ Knee Replacement Story

For most of his life, Clarence Hughes stayed on his feet.

Born and raised in Chillicothe, Clarence spent decades working in restaurant management, often putting in 50 to 60-hour work weeks standing for long periods of time. At 67 years old, he had built a life around hard work, family, and staying involved in his community.

But after years of wear and tear on his knees, everyday life slowly became painful.

What started as occasional discomfort gradually turned into severe, constant pain that affected nearly everything he did.

For more than a decade, Clarence tried to manage it.

He relied on cortisone injections, pain medication, and other treatments just to get through daily life. But over time, the pain only worsened.

“Every step hurt,” he recalled. “The cartilage was gone, bone-on-bone, and even standing too long became difficult.”

Simple activities became nearly impossible. Stairs were a struggle. Long car rides required constant stops just so he could get out and stretch. Even getting down on the floor with his grandchildren was no longer something he could do.

The pain wasn’t just frustrating, it was limiting his life.

Like many patients facing joint replacement surgery, Clarence hoped to avoid surgery if possible.

After hearing positive things about gel injections for knee pain, he decided to try a series of injections designed to help cushion the joint.

But after the very first treatment, he immediately knew it wasn’t the right fit for him.

“It was the worst pain I remember feeling in my entire life,” he said. “I screamed. I never went back for the next two shots.”

At that point, Clarence knew it was time to seriously consider surgery.

As he began researching orthopedic surgeons, one name consistently came up: Dr. Brian Cohen.

Between recommendations from local physicians, positive community feedback, and several family members who had successful surgeries with Dr. Cohen, Clarence felt confident moving forward.

One family member in particular had undergone bilateral knee replacement surgery years earlier and encouraged him not to wait.

That reassurance mattered.

From the beginning, Clarence felt comfortable with Dr. Cohen and his approach to care.

“I almost feel like he’s a personal friend to me,” Clarence shared.

He appreciated Dr. Cohen’s honesty, professionalism, and ability to explain things clearly without making patients feel rushed.

“He’s very thorough,” Clarence said. “If you have questions, he takes the time you need.”

After years of pain and failed conservative treatments, Clarence made the decision to move forward with bilateral knee replacement surgery, replacing both knees at the same time.

Though he knew recovery would be challenging, he also knew he didn’t want to go through the process twice.

Clarence underwent surgery at the surgical center in Grove City after completing his appointments locally in Chillicothe.

On the day of surgery, he remembers feeling fully prepared and supported.

“The staff made me feel very comfortable,” he said. “There were no surprises. They explained everything.”

From pre-op preparation to recovery expectations, Clarence says the entire team was professional, caring, and reassuring throughout the process.

While the first few days of recovery were difficult, as expected, he noticed improvement little by little.

And before long, he began doing things he hadn’t been able to do in years.

Today, just over a year after surgery, Clarence describes the results as life-changing.

“I have zero pain in my knees,” he said.

For the first time in years, he can:

The moments that mean the most, though, are often the simplest ones.

Clarence now spends time on the floor playing with Hot Wheels and wrestling figures with his grandchildren, something he once thought he might never do again.

“They climb on my back and everything else,” he laughed. “It’s like there’s nothing wrong with my knees.”

At nearly 68 years old, Clarence says he’s amazed every day by how much better he feels.

“I really didn’t think it would make this much difference,” he admitted. “But it truly did.”

Clarence now regularly encourages others dealing with knee pain to consider seeing Dr. Cohen.

“Don’t even talk to anybody else,” he tells them. For him, the decision came down to trust, experience, and results.

From the care he received during appointments to the outcome of his surgery, Clarence says he has nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Cohen and his staff.

“He treats people like friends,” Clarence said. “You can tell he genuinely cares.”

These days, Clarence is focused on enjoying life with his family, spending time with his grandchildren, and appreciating the ability to move without pain.

After years of struggling with every step, he says the difference still feels remarkable.

“I’d do it again if I had to,” he said. “Absolutely.”