My Comeback Story: Kay S.

I am a life-long walker. Sunday afternoons were walking times for my dad, sister and me. Once I had my own household, I'd walk the children to school and then take off on a walking route through the neighborhoods. About 20 years ago, a friend and I started a 4-5 times a week circuit of three miles through town and a local park walking trail.

But eventually, arthritis caught up with me and I couldn't go three miles. Or two. My knees would 'give out.' I saw doctors and had injections but nothing worked for a sustainable time. So, it came to surgery, to knee replacements.

Dr. Youngman didn't advise doing both knees at once because of infection risk. And, after having done one at a time, 4 months apart, I don't know how you do both at once, although I know it's done. My sister-in-law is a physical therapist and gave me pre-rehab exercises which I believe greatly speeded my recovery.

I've given up my cane, and although I'm not back to walking three miles yet, I am building back my stamina and improving.

I couldn't see going through life clutching on to a shopping cart or limping along on my grandmother's cane. I'm glad I had my knee replacement surgeries and thank Dr. Youngman and the Carrell Clinic for their excellent care.

I have my life back.