7 minute read
Health Insurance
Total Joint Knee Replacement Pays Off for Nurse
By Sanford Health | Photos courtesy of Sanford Health
Jan Dahl went into her knee replacement surgeries prepared to work — hard. She knew the amount of effort she put into her rehabilitation after surgery was important to improving her mobility and reducing pain.
Dahl had always enjoyed a pretty active lifestyle. For one thing, her job as a nurse for Sanford Health’s surgical services kept her on her feet and walking all day. At home, she and her husband enjoyed walks and bike rides together. And, her personal habits encouraged movement, such as taking the stairs or choosing a parking spot far from the entrance.
Gradually, though, she noticed changes. Her right knee started to ache, and the pain worsened over time. Then came another sign: intensifying pain.
“Even if I was only going to get one gallon of milk,” Dahl said, “I would grab a cart at the entrance to a store so that I could lean on the cart as I walked through the store. And I thought, ‘It’s time.’”
A SUCCESSFUL KNEE REPLACEMENT
Dahl, now 65 and retired, had surgery to replace her right knee in January 2017. Her surgery by orthopedic surgeon Brian Aamlid, MD, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls went
well. And after, she had a new perspective – as a patient.
“They make sure that you’re comfortable while you’re in the hospital and have all the information you need when you’re ready to be discharged,” Dahl said.
Once she headed home, the real work began. Dahl worked with a physical therapist for about 45 minutes three times a week. Then, she repeated the exercises several times a day at home.
“The more you work at it, the stronger you get,” she explained. “Whenever I would have pain or stiffness, I would go get on the bike and just try to work it out. Usually the pain would be my reminder that I’ve got to work through this.”
After three months, she could resume normal activities.
REPLACING HER OTHER KNEE
Following her right knee replacement, Dahl’s left knee actually saw improvement on its own. She thought she might avoid having that one replaced. But, as it gradually started having the same symptoms, she knew it was time to get the left knee replaced, too.
Dr. Aamlid performed her second knee replacement in February 2019, followed by physical therapy, which paid off.
Four months after her first knee replacement, she and her husband had hiked the six-mile trek at Crazy Horse Monument. And, four months after her second surgery — with two strong knees — she was able to hike 11 miles in Glacier National Park.
Dahl’s surgeries also held a couple of surprises. Before, she had been having hip pain, but that has gone away. Plus, Dr. Aamlid was able to help align her legs.
“I would say do it (total knee replacement) sooner than later. It’s a big process, but you have so much to gain,” concluded Dahl. n
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