Paula’s Story
Dr. Padden Reviewed the Mri With Me, Explained the Diagnosis, and the Recommendation of a Partial Knee Arthroplasty. He Explained How the Mako Robotic-assisted Surgery Would Be Done and That I Could Once Again Be Pain-free. And I Am Happy to Say, That Just a Short Five Weeks After Surgery, I Am Back to Work and Pain-free!
I always felt I had a high threshold for pain, after all, I had given birth three times. But, the pain that I had to endure for three or more months before my knee surgery was excruciating. I’m a speech–language pathologist and work in healthcare, walking the long halls of a hospital all day long. The pain brought me to tears on many days.
It got to the point where I would navigate by “counting steps” and taking the short route from point A to point B. Just ask anyone who has had this kind of joint pain and they’ll know what I’m talking about. The pain was always there and made it difficult to do even my normal daily routine, like running errands after work or taking an evening walk through the neighborhood. Taking the maximal dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) did very little for me but was the only way to get through the day.
I knew I had osteoarthritis having been told seven or eight years ago after having a ballroom dance injury to my right knee requiring an arthroscopic repair to the meniscus. The MRI of that knee showed osteoarthritis of the joint. The orthopaedic surgeon in Pittsburgh, PA, where I was living at the time, was surprised to the degree of the joint damage given my age, of 48. The repair was successful and within two or three weeks, I made a full recovery.
The osteoarthritis pain in my left knee started in November or December 2019. It got progressively worse through the months. I sought treatment from an orthopaedic physician who gave me a Cortisone shot which lasted about a month. I would experience a tremendous amount of swelling and a few times had needle aspiration of the fluid. None of these treatments had any lasting effect. The doctor ordered an MRI and when it was reviewed it was clear that the medial compartment of the knee joint was bone on bone. The physician told me I needed to consult an orthopaedic surgeon who specialized in joint replacement of lower extremities.
I had consulted a few recommended, well-respected orthopaedic surgeons in the Boca Raton area. But after my consultation with Dr. David Padden I knew he was the one. Why Dr. Padden? Well, of course I researched his education, experience and patient reviews online and found them to be top-notch. But, more than that, it was the person. Dr. Padden reviewed the MRI with me, explained the diagnosis, and the recommendation of a partial knee arthroplasty. He explained how the Mako Robotic-assisted surgery would be done and that I could once again be pain-free. This was music to my ears!
Dr. Padden discussed the difference between the total knee and the recommended partial knee replacement and his personal outcomes and what was found in the medical literature. He had a level of confidence (without being arrogant) that was very reassuring to me as a patient. Dr. Padden was one of the most personable and relaxed doctors I have come across. When I agreed to go forward with the surgery, his surgical coordinator, Laurie, jumped into action. She provided me with a folder which contained every piece of information I would need including pre-op lab work, chest x-ray and EKG orders to post-op prescription for home health physical therapy and nursing. My rolling walker, needed post-operatively, was delivered two days after my consultation. Dr. Padden’s office staff is efficient and responsive to the needs of the patient.
On the day of surgery, Dr. Padden greeted me, reviewed the necessary information and had a calming presence which my nerves appreciated. The surgery at West Boca Medical Center, took all of 60 minutes and once the nerve block and anesthesia wore off, physical therapy had me up and walking with the wheeled walker. I was discharged to home shortly thereafter. I worked really hard with my home exercise program and home health physical therapy. After that, I attended outpatient physical therapy at West Boca Medical Center, where they pushed me even harder than what I could have done on my own. And I am happy to say, that just a short five weeks after surgery, I am back to work and pain-free!
The kind of pain I was experiencing had me on the sideline, for sure. I couldn’t think of going to the mall with my daughters or even taking a trip that required walking through the airport. Before I committed to doing anything my thought would be, “How much walking would I have to do? Would there be steps I needed to navigate? How close could I park?” Now, nothing limits me, thanks to Dr. Padden! I have, and will continue to, recommend Dr. David Padden for joint replacement surgery. If someone is putting off a joint replacement surgery I ask, “Why suffer with the pain?” I would encourage them to look no further than Dr. David Padden.