Patient Update: 2006

How are the patients, who were profiled in the AAHKS documentary, doing three years after their total joint replacement surgeries?

The AAHKS caught up with the four patients in spring 2006. Here’s what they had to say:

Linda Brown

Linda received a total hip replacement surgery from Clifford Colwell, M.D., in March 2003. Linda, who resides in Kalamazoo, Mich., reports that she has no limp or pain following her surgery.

“I’ve had a fabulous result, but did a lot of therapy (following surgery), said Linda, who turns 66 in June. “The procedure has allowed me to live again.”

Prior to surgery, Linda couldn’t walk without pain and a limp. Today, Linda is enjoying long walks on the beach and 30- to 40-mile bike rides. She and her husband, Ric, did extensive biking on a trip to Italy in 2004.

Although she admits giving up skiing and tennis since her successful surgery, “I’m not limited at all in what I can do,” she said.

Mae Katen

“It (my surgery) is the best thing in the world that I ever did,” said Mae, referring to her bilateral total knee replacement in 2003. “I’m enjoying life to the fullest.”

Mae, now 83, suffered from severe arthritis in both knees. The pain was so bad, she had to give up her favorite hobby – boating. She and her husband, Art, a retired colonel in the Marine Corps. own a 45-foot boat and were active in the San Diego Coast Guard Auxiliary for 26 years. Following her surgery performed by Clifford Colwell, M.D., Mae and Art are back on their boat and enjoying the ocean. They retired from the Coast Guard Auxiliary in January 2006.

A resident of San Diego, Mae reports she hasn’t had any problem with her knees since her surgery, and kept off the 35 pounds she lost following the procedure. She and Art stay active visiting their 4 living children, 11grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren around the country. They enjoyed an Alaskan cruise in 2005, which required a lot of walking; however, Mae had no problem keeping up with the others on the tours.

“I feel as good as I did when I was in my 20s and 30s – as far as my knees are concerned,” Mae said mischievously.

Sophia Gershfeld

Sophia, now 64, received a total hip replacement from Chitranjan Ranawat, M.D., in June 2003. Prior to her surgery, she had to quit work because of the pain related to her job. She could not sleep or work without pain medication.

Today, Sophia is back on the job. The New York City resident is doing well, despite some hip pain.

On most days, Sophia walks 10 to 15 blocks in her job as a parking and traffic engineer for the New York City Department of Transportation

“Some days I have pain in my hip – a change in weather can cause some discomfort,” said Sophia. She had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Ranawat in June 2006.

Sophia knows that regular exercise is good for her and helps ease the pain. She rides a stationary bike at night, but admits that some nights she is too tired to exercise after work.

Eugene Zongrone

Eugene “Gene” Zongrone has no regrets about his total hip replacement surgery in 2003, which was performed by Thomas Sculco, M.D.

“My surgery turned out very well – no problems at all,” said Gene, who will turn 62 this summer. He lives in the Bronx with his wife, Theresa.

Prior to his surgery, life wasn’t so pleasant. “I was totally miserable and on the verge of incapacitation,” he said.

Gene was an executive at a bank in New York City. He would limp around the office in pain, and the commute to work from the suburbs was difficult because of all the walking.

“I’m playing a lot of golf now,” said Gene, since he retired in 2005. He is enjoying his favorite hobby – minus the pain and the limp.