Re: new member trying first post

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete,

Your post came through fine. Welcome to the group.

Reen

[Guest guest]

,

I just had two knees done at the Porretta Center in either Southfield or Novi.

I went to Providence Hospital. Dr. Markel did my knees. What else? I liked the

first trip better than the second. Or had a harder time the second knee.

You can find them on the internet at www.porrettacenter.com

There are more Surgeons than Dr Markel.

Ask me some questions.

Donna R

new member trying first post

Hi Folks- I just joined (or thought I did) your group and sent a message on Sat

5/15 some time after 7PM with the subject " Seek TKR surgeon in SE Michigan. "

Also a short while later I sent an email with the same message and a slightly

different subject. I posted again from the site around 9:30. I’m a posting

MACHINE. However, nothing is appearing on the message board on the forum.

Please let me know what I need to do to start participating.

Thanks!

Pete Forsythe

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna – Thanks for writing! OK here are some questions for you and anyone

else who would like to chime in.

What kind of implant did you get? We don't know much about the choices yet.

When did you get your TKRs? How much time between? (Don't know if my friend

needs both.)

What did you like/not like about surgery with Dr. Markel?

Do you know how many surgeries Dr. Markel has done with that implant?

Is it a good idea (or realistic) to look for a doc who only does knees?

Can you get reliable online patient feedback on docs?

What questions should my friend as during the initial exam? What should he look

for?

Here are SE Michigan orthos we know so far.

--Dr. Demers – referred by PCP

--Dr. Verner – gave me good advice on my own hip resurfacing in 06

--Dr, Markel – (from you) – I looked at their site.

Thanks again!

Pete

>

> ,

>

> I just had two knees done at the Porretta Center in either Southfield or Novi.

I went to Providence Hospital. Dr. Markel did my knees. What else? I liked the

first trip better than the second. Or had a harder time the second knee.

>

> You can find them on the internet at www.porrettacenter.com

>

> There are more Surgeons than Dr Markel.

>

> Ask me some questions.

>

> Donna R

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pete,

I had my left knee done toward the end of Nov. I had started my own process by

quitting smoking in June, 09. I had not been to an MD in a while. I came on

here and starting hearing what everyone was saying. I got the " Book " and read

it and prepared my home so I could live on the first floor. Got lots of tests

done and some needed to be done before I was " Surgery ready. " Needless to say

at 69 and not having had a surgery, much less major surgery, I was scared.

I may have done both knees at the same time but this MD wouldn't do it. And I

am really glad now. I live alone and I do have some help from the kids, but

basically by the end of the first 30 days I was driving as it was my left leg

first and didn't affect driving much. The first week they brought PT into the

house for me for both knees.

I saw the Surgeon at the end of Feb and I had my second or right knee done at

the end of March. I just finished PT at the office and now am on my own to

keep improving. So I am at about 6 months right now. And it didn't take long

in between because I didn't need to do all the testing, just a few. I have been

driving even with my right leg for the last three weeks. Just short distances

at first with no meds until I got where ever I was going. I think I basically

was at home and stuck for a month for each.

The left (first knee) was the worst, I thought, and I flew through that surgery

like a breeze. I actually felt like laughing coming out of surgery. I guess I

had imagined it would be so much worse.

I picked my Hospital first!!!!!LOL I wanted the smaller hospital and I wanted

it close to home.

When I called the Clinic to see who did the knee Surgery and who did Min.

Invasive, they said they only had one! I made my appointment with him and never

looked back. When I asked what kind the knee he would put in he said the " best "

and the one that fit best and I never looked back on either of my " Styker "

knees. He decided.

I had a spinal for both surgeries, but I didn't like the " femoral block " they

put in on the second one. I knew many older people who have other than a

spinal may have mental problems after caring for my Mom for 4 years.

I decided on my Surgeon with my daughter and because I immediately felt safe and

he sounded, realistically or not, like he would take care of me. And me and my

daughter both liked him. And he did take care of me.

I must say, I had my mind and my body ready when I went in. At least the first

time. And it was a little harder the second. I had been healing a while and

then I had to start all over. And so I was really ready to be done for a while

just thinking about PT and resting and remembering to take meds and when.

One thing I was sorry I didn't do was a log so I could compare the two

recoveries. It is hard to remember when I didn't write things down. The month

and a half I have been out of the hospital seems much longer this time than last

and it may not be.

I went in for surgery on a Tue for my left leg and went home on Thur. I did

the same for my right leg but I wasn't first thing in the morning so it took an

extra hour and a half and I still went home on Thur. PT started on Fri. both

times at home.

The biggest problem I had either time was the second time I had a brace because

of the block and didn't get the ice I needed. I got nasty and got some Ice.

Icing and elevating has been as important as anything I did. I would rather

have lots of ice than some of the meds. So I think I have some problems with

harder PT because of not getting ice immediately. My Surgeon doesn't think so

but I do. And that would be another help from the Journal.

I am guessing Dr. Markel mostly does knees. Just because I talked to several

people who had him for their knees. But I don't know the answer to your

question. There are some things people need to know that didn't bother me.

When I started out looking for a Doctor, I started hearing about the Center and

the more I heard, I knew they weren't just new at the job or I wouldn't be

hearing so much about them.

Hope this helps.

Donna R

Re: new member trying first post

Hi Donna � Thanks for writing! OK here are some questions for you and anyone

else who would like to chime in.

What kind of implant did you get? We don't know much about the choices yet.

When did you get your TKRs? How much time between? (Don't know if my friend

needs both.)

What did you like/not like about surgery with Dr. Markel?

Do you know how many surgeries Dr. Markel has done with that implant?

Is it a good idea (or realistic) to look for a doc who only does knees?

Can you get reliable online patient feedback on docs?

What questions should my friend as during the initial exam? What should he look

for?

Here are SE Michigan orthos we know so far.

--Dr. Demers � referred by PCP

--Dr. Verner � gave me good advice on my own hip resurfacing in 06

--Dr, Markel � (from you) � I looked at their site.

Thanks again!

Pete

>

> ,

>

> I just had two knees done at the Porretta Center in either Southfield or Novi.

I went to Providence Hospital. Dr. Markel did my knees. What else? I liked the

first trip better than the second. Or had a harder time the second knee.

>

> You can find them on the internet at www.porrettacenter.com

>

> There are more Surgeons than Dr Markel.

>

> Ask me some questions.

>

> Donna R

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna Rae –

Thanks for your story which we'll reread as we move through this process. I'm

copying what you've written and will mail it to my friend. He did the shoulder

in 02 but your story will help get him ready for the return bout.

Thanks for your description of how you and your daughter felt safe with Dr.

Markel. I guess that's the bottom line. We'll ask about anesthesia, femoral

blocks, home PT, minimally invasive,

which implant, driving, etc. So- you'd rather have more ice than more meds.

Words to live by.

What is The book?

I hope your knees keep getting stronger. I'm sure we'll have more questions and

we'll let you know how things go from here.

Pete

>

> Pete,

>

> I had my left knee done toward the end of Nov. I had started my own process

by quitting smoking in June, 09. I had not been to an MD in a while. I came on

here and starting hearing what everyone was saying. I got the " Book " and read

it and prepared my home so I could live on the first floor. Got lots of tests

done and some needed to be done before I was " Surgery ready. " Needless to say

at 69 and not having had a surgery, much less major surgery, I was scared.

>

> I may have done both knees at the same time but this MD wouldn't do it. And I

am really glad now. I live alone and I do have some help from the kids, but

basically by the end of the first 30 days I was driving as it was my left leg

first and didn't affect driving much. The first week they brought PT into the

house for me for both knees.

>

> I saw the Surgeon at the end of Feb and I had my second or right knee done at

the end of March. I just finished PT at the office and now am on my own to

keep improving. So I am at about 6 months right now. And it didn't take long

in between because I didn't need to do all the testing, just a few. I have been

driving even with my right leg for the last three weeks. Just short distances

at first with no meds until I got where ever I was going. I think I basically

was at home and stuck for a month for each.

>

> The left (first knee) was the worst, I thought, and I flew through that

surgery like a breeze. I actually felt like laughing coming out of surgery. I

guess I had imagined it would be so much worse.

>

> I picked my Hospital first!!!!!LOL I wanted the smaller hospital and I

wanted it close to home.

>

> When I called the Clinic to see who did the knee Surgery and who did Min.

Invasive, they said they only had one! I made my appointment with him and never

looked back. When I asked what kind the knee he would put in he said the " best "

and the one that fit best and I never looked back on either of my " Styker "

knees. He decided.

>

> I had a spinal for both surgeries, but I didn't like the " femoral block " they

put in on the second one. I knew many older people who have other than a

spinal may have mental problems after caring for my Mom for 4 years.

>

> I decided on my Surgeon with my daughter and because I immediately felt safe

and he sounded, realistically or not, like he would take care of me. And me and

my daughter both liked him. And he did take care of me.

>

> I must say, I had my mind and my body ready when I went in. At least the

first time. And it was a little harder the second. I had been healing a while

and then I had to start all over. And so I was really ready to be done for a

while just thinking about PT and resting and remembering to take meds and when.

>

> One thing I was sorry I didn't do was a log so I could compare the two

recoveries. It is hard to remember when I didn't write things down. The month

and a half I have been out of the hospital seems much longer this time than last

and it may not be.

>

> I went in for surgery on a Tue for my left leg and went home on Thur. I did

the same for my right leg but I wasn't first thing in the morning so it took an

extra hour and a half and I still went home on Thur. PT started on Fri. both

times at home.

>

> The biggest problem I had either time was the second time I had a brace

because of the block and didn't get the ice I needed. I got nasty and got some

Ice. Icing and elevating has been as important as anything I did. I would

rather have lots of ice than some of the meds. So I think I have some problems

with harder PT because of not getting ice immediately. My Surgeon doesn't

think so but I do. And that would be another help from the Journal.

>

> I am guessing Dr. Markel mostly does knees. Just because I talked to several

people who had him for their knees. But I don't know the answer to your

question. There are some things people need to know that didn't bother me.

When I started out looking for a Doctor, I started hearing about the Center and

the more I heard, I knew they weren't just new at the job or I wouldn't be

hearing so much about them.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Donna R

[Guest guest]

Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation

Brugioni, MD and Falkel, PH. D.

Lots of good stuff in this book.

Donna R

Re: new member trying first post

Hi Donna Rae �

Thanks for your story which we'll reread as we move through this process. I'm

copying what you've written and will mail it to my friend. He did the shoulder

in 02 but your story will help get him ready for the return bout.

Thanks for your description of how you and your daughter felt safe with Dr.

Markel. I guess that's the bottom line. We'll ask about anesthesia, femoral

blocks, home PT, minimally invasive,

which implant, driving, etc. So- you'd rather have more ice than more meds.

Words to live by.

What is The book?

I hope your knees keep getting stronger. I'm sure we'll have more questions and

we'll let you know how things go from here.

Pete

>

> Pete,

>

> I had my left knee done toward the end of Nov. I had started my own process

by quitting smoking in June, 09. I had not been to an MD in a while. I came on

here and starting hearing what everyone was saying. I got the " Book " and read

it and prepared my home so I could live on the first floor. Got lots of tests

done and some needed to be done before I was " Surgery ready. " Needless to say

at 69 and not having had a surgery, much less major surgery, I was scared.

>

> I may have done both knees at the same time but this MD wouldn't do it. And I

am really glad now. I live alone and I do have some help from the kids, but

basically by the end of the first 30 days I was driving as it was my left leg

first and didn't affect driving much. The first week they brought PT into the

house for me for both knees.

>

> I saw the Surgeon at the end of Feb and I had my second or right knee done at

the end of March. I just finished PT at the office and now am on my own to

keep improving. So I am at about 6 months right now. And it didn't take long

in between because I didn't need to do all the testing, just a few. I have been

driving even with my right leg for the last three weeks. Just short distances

at first with no meds until I got where ever I was going. I think I basically

was at home and stuck for a month for each.

>

> The left (first knee) was the worst, I thought, and I flew through that

surgery like a breeze. I actually felt like laughing coming out of surgery. I

guess I had imagined it would be so much worse.

>

> I picked my Hospital first!!!!!LOL I wanted the smaller hospital and I

wanted it close to home.

>

> When I called the Clinic to see who did the knee Surgery and who did Min.

Invasive, they said they only had one! I made my appointment with him and never

looked back. When I asked what kind the knee he would put in he said the " best "

and the one that fit best and I never looked back on either of my " Styker "

knees. He decided.

>

> I had a spinal for both surgeries, but I didn't like the " femoral block " they

put in on the second one. I knew many older people who have other than a

spinal may have mental problems after caring for my Mom for 4 years.

>

> I decided on my Surgeon with my daughter and because I immediately felt safe

and he sounded, realistically or not, like he would take care of me. And me and

my daughter both liked him. And he did take care of me.

>

> I must say, I had my mind and my body ready when I went in. At least the

first time. And it was a little harder the second. I had been healing a while

and then I had to start all over. And so I was really ready to be done for a

while just thinking about PT and resting and remembering to take meds and when.

>

> One thing I was sorry I didn't do was a log so I could compare the two

recoveries. It is hard to remember when I didn't write things down. The month

and a half I have been out of the hospital seems much longer this time than last

and it may not be.

>

> I went in for surgery on a Tue for my left leg and went home on Thur. I did

the same for my right leg but I wasn't first thing in the morning so it took an

extra hour and a half and I still went home on Thur. PT started on Fri. both

times at home.

>

> The biggest problem I had either time was the second time I had a brace

because of the block and didn't get the ice I needed. I got nasty and got some

Ice. Icing and elevating has been as important as anything I did. I would

rather have lots of ice than some of the meds. So I think I have some problems

with harder PT because of not getting ice immediately. My Surgeon doesn't

think so but I do. And that would be another help from the Journal.

>

> I am guessing Dr. Markel mostly does knees. Just because I talked to several

people who had him for their knees. But I don't know the answer to your

question. There are some things people need to know that didn't bother me.

When I started out looking for a Doctor, I started hearing about the Center and

the more I heard, I knew they weren't just new at the job or I wouldn't be

hearing so much about them.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Donna R