Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2013 - (Page 8)

Getting Back Double knee replacement gives patient two good legs to stand on B arbara Pons, age 70, is a suc- replaced during one surgery. After cessful real estate agent who conferring with Dr. Mulliken, she was is very proud of what may be confident she was the right candidate. considered her bionic parts. In "I didn't want to go back for another 2011, she broke her hip while Real estate agent Barbara Pons has had a hip and both knees replaced by Brian Mulliken, MD, at UM St. Joseph Medical Center ... and says she feels better than ever. surgery," she explains. vacationing with her 11 grand- "Thanks to Dr. Mulliken's surgical children and had a hip replacement expertise, I have zest for life and more performed by board-certified ortho- energy now," Pons says. paedic surgeon Brian Mulliken, MD, of Towson Orthopaedic Associates. Her recovery went so well that Pons decided to have both of her ON MENDED KNEES has been performing a high volume of joint replacements for years. Benefits of having both knees done simultaneously include one hospitalization with one time under anesthesia "Knee replacement is one of the (which can often be done with a combi- miracles of modern science," Dr. Mul- nation of spinal or epidural and twilight arthritic knees replaced with state-of- liken says. "It is a way anesthesia instead of general anesthe- the-art knee replacements done by to permanently eradi- sia) and one rehabilitation experience. Dr. Mulliken, too. "It was hard to get cate arthritis in the Although the first week of recovery may around before my knee surgeries. knee and return it to present more of a challenge, "the full I'm on my feet a lot showing proper- natural function. recovery is not really any different than ties," Pons says. "I had to go up stairs one at a time." And Pons literally jumped in with both feet-opting to have both knees "Ideal candidates Brian Mulliken, MD for double knee for one knee," the doctor assures. Two knee replacements can be replacement are usu- performed in less than 1 ½ hours. ally younger, healthier "Knee replacement used to be a long and very motivated. The incidence of Are you reAdy to tAlk Joint replAcement? Call UM St. Joseph Medical Center's Orthopaedic Institute at 410-337-1777 or Towson Orthopaedic Associates at 410-337-7900. 8 Maryland's HealtH Matters surgery. Now, one replacement takes needing both knees replaced is getting between 45 minutes to an hour. And much higher-it's nearly one in three we have made excellent progress patients who need a knee replacement, handling postoperative pain control," and most patients prefer simultaneous Dr. Mulliken says. knee replacement if that is an option Pons, who loves to exercise several for them. Patients may opt to have both times a week, now works out pain-free. knees done during the same surgery or "UM St. Joe's came through with flying stay in the hospital and have them done colors," she says. "It's remarkable what a few days apart," says Dr. Mulliken, who I can do now." Join our Joint Replacement Pre-Op class. Go to stjosephtowson.com/mhm http://www.stjosephtowson.com/mhm

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2013

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2013
Contents
Care After Hours
Getting Back to Life
A Lifesaving Gift
At a Glance
News and Events

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Winter 2013