Margaret Parker Bilateral Knee Replacement
Margaret Parker, “Margie”, is a former news reporter and graduate of the Ohio State University; two solid reasons why doing her research before getting a major surgery was important to her. She waited almost 20 years with pain before deciding it was time to get a bilateral knee replacement.
Prior to the pain, she was an athlete. Some activities included running, jogging, water skiing, skiing, and roller blading – “all of which contributed to my joints wearing down.” “When I couldn’t walk down hills anymore, I knew it was time to get it done,” Margie said.
Prior to surgery and meeting Dr. Cohen, Margaret was getting cortisone shots that just quit working and “they never mentioned surgery to me.” A trip to Sam’s Club and a random conversation had her left inquisitive.
Margie was in Sam’s Club when she overheard an older man explaining how he had just had a knee replacement two weeks prior. “He told me he highly recommended Dr. Brian Cohen and had nothing but good things to say.” “After I found out he used the robotic system, I knew he was the guy for me,” she said.
“I researched him, read about how many procedures he’s done, about his impressive education, and the robotic assistant program,” said Margie. She was in the office for a consultation just a few days after calling to set up an appointment.
Margie went into her appointment thinking she may need a partial knee replacement. After a few x-rays, an examine, a few agility tests, Dr. Cohen informed her that she would need both knees replaced and she’s needed it for a while.
The day of her procedure, he talked to her for a long time; “he wasn’t hurried, even after surgery, he was there. He would also call me directly to answer my questions,” Margie said.
Margie has a condition called Malignant Hypothermia. She described it as a “European genetic trait that can cause a deadly reaction with anesthesia.” This condition made Margie’s procedure quite risky and extended her stay at the hospital for precautionary reasons. “If I had an issue I could call him on his cell phone. He treated me with compassion.”
Last month was Margie’s two-year anniversary since her procedure. “At 73-years-old, I am very happy with my knees. I should have had it done a long time ago,” she said. She is now back to extensive gardening, using the wheelbarrow, lifting things, walking 4+ miles and working at the library. She said, “I’m just going to keep doing it because there’s nothing holding me back and there’s nothing I can’t do. I can’t sit down and now that I have my new knees, I don’t plan to.”
Margie gives her bilateral knee replacement the credit of fixing her sciatica back pain as well. “The quality of life I have achieved through this procedure should be a testament to why someone on the fence should just do it,” she said.
