From Struggling to Walk to Walking All Day at Disney World
For Kathryn, staying active has always been an important part of life. A retired fifth-grade teacher who has lived in Chillicothe her entire life, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and, especially, riding her bicycle.
But over the years, severe knee pain began to take away the things she enjoyed most.
Her knees had deteriorated to the point where she was experiencing significant pain, including bone-on-bone arthritis and a fracture in one knee. She tried steroids and physical therapy, but nothing provided lasting relief. Eventually, even walking across her home became difficult.
“I was lucky to get across the house at one time,” Kathryn recalls.
With her mobility declining and her pain continuing to worsen, Kathryn knew it was time to consider surgery. She was referred to Dr. Cohen by a longtime friend who spoke highly of him and his work. After hearing positive things from others as well, Kathryn felt confident moving forward with him as her surgeon.
She ultimately underwent bilateral knee replacement, with both knees replaced at the same time.
Throughout the process, Kathryn said Dr. Cohen made her feel heard and cared for. She appreciated that he never seemed rushed during appointments and took the time to answer questions, not only hers, but also those of her daughter and granddaughter.
“He always took time. He never seemed to be in a hurry,” she says.
Her recovery included both in-home and outpatient physical therapy, which Kathryn credits as an important part of her progress. The hard work paid off.
Today, Kathryn is walking without the pain that once limited her every day. And she recently put her recovery to the ultimate test: a family trip to Walt Disney World.
Just months after her surgery, Kathryn spent an entire day walking around Magic Kingdom, from 8 a.m. until midnight.
“I never could have done that before,” she says.
For someone who once struggled to walk across her own home, spending an entire day exploring Disney World was more than just a vacation, it was a reminder of how much her life had changed.
Kathryn has already recommended Dr. Cohen to a family member who is considering another knee replacement.
Her experience is a powerful reminder that successful joint replacement is about more than relieving pain. It’s about helping patients get back to the people, activities, and moments that make life meaningful.
For Kathryn, that means walking farther, moving more freely, and making memories with her family, without her knees holding her back.
