Hear What Patients Have To Say / Patient Success Stories
Margie Morrow
Margie attributes her successful outcome to her deep personal faith and the many people who helped her find the answer to her question.
Two Hip Relacements and Two Knee Replacements
In June 1997, Margie Morrow arrived for her first appointment to meet Dr. Howard Miller, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in total joint reconstruction at The Orthopaedic Center in Huntsville, Alabama. At the time of her initial visit with Dr. Miller, Margie had been in a wheelchair since October 1986, a period of almost eleven years. Margie had been diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 17. The arthritis had progressed to the point that she was forced to utilize a wheelchair to avoid the excruciating pain caused by walking. Over those eleven years, Margie's non-ambulatory status eventually resulted in spontaneous fusion of both her hips and knees into the sitting position, as a result of being confined to her wheelchair. Margie also suffered from deformities of her hands and feet due to the disease, as well as significant elbow and shoulder stiffness. Margie was unable to even feed herself for nine of those years.
At the age of 47, Margie decided to consult with an orthopedic specialist. She wondered what her life would be like if something happened to one or both of her parents, with whom she resided and depended upon for help with her everyday living needs. Would Margie eventually have to enter a nursing home due to her inability to function independently? Margie decided to explore her options and try to find an answer to this important question.
After assessment of Margie's condition, Dr. Miller believed he could help her, although he was not certain if she could ever regain ambulatory status. Margie decided to proceed with Dr. Miller's recommendations for surgery. Although every case is unique, Margie's case would be especially challenging, in part because two joints were being replaced during one operation and also because Margie had not been ambulatory prior to the surgery.
Dr. Miller's connections with Jeff Smith, his Biomet sales associate, and Jim Jasinski, his local Biomet distributor, were indispensable in this case. Impeccable planning, organization, and delivery of Margie's product requirements would be crucial. Even with the availability of advanced diagnostic and evaluation tools, surgeons and sales representatives must plan for extenuating circumstances due to the potential complexities of these types of cases, such as the unknown quality of existing bone. Being prepared for unusual surgical situations is vital to the success of any procedure.
In July 1997, Margie's first surgery was scheduled to replace her left hip and knee in a single operation. Three months later, Margie's right hip and knee were replaced. Margie was a motivated patient, progressed very well with her rehabilitation process and walked for the first time in eleven years on December 3, 1997. On Christmas Eve, 1997, Dr. Miller saw Margie walk down the hallway at his office with a beaming smile on her face. Margie started walking on her own without a walker or assistance from anyone on January 30, 1998. Since Margie's hip and knee replacement procedures, Margie has also undergone surgeries to replace her shoulders and her elbows, as well as having her hands and feet reconstructed. All of Margie's total joints are Biomet products with the exception of her elbows. Although Biomet now has an elbow product approved for sale in the United States, at the time of Margie's elbow surgeries, this product was not yet available.
Margie is truly an amazing person to have had the fortitude to endure so many procedures along with the rehabilitation required to produce a successful outcome. Dr. Miller states, "Margie is doing extremely well, and is one of the most motivated and grateful patients in my practice. She has returned to a functional lifestyle, and is active in her church and civic affairs. She has also returned to various types of crafts which she enjoys, and has done some artwork for my office." Margie has been able to participate in many activities that she thought she would never again be able to perform. Doing routine household chores such as vacuuming and washing dishes are a joy for her. She enjoys sewing and crafts, along with getting lots of exercise. Margie likes to work out on her exercise machine and walks twenty minutes nearly every morning on her treadmill. Margie searched for an answer to her question and, by connecting with many individuals who were committed to helping her, was successful in finding the answer. Margie, now that you have found the answer, do not look back...just keep walking.
This article is meant solely as a human interest story and is not meant to constitute medical advice.
While the patient in this story is a true joint replacement recipient, her results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all joint replacement patients. Joint replacements have been used successfully in achieving restored mobility to many patients. However, as with any implanted device, there are factors affecting performance which ultimately result in variable outcomes, including levels of mobility and pain. These factors include, but are not limited to, the patient’s pre and post-operative health conditions, weight, activity level, and adherence to instructions regarding the use of the affected joint. Due to these variables, it is not possible to predict specific results or patient satisfaction. For additional information regarding joint replacement, refer to the patient risk information located at the top of this page and talk to your orthopedic surgeon.
The persons named in this article have consented to be named and have given Biomet, Inc. the exclusive right to use their personal and medical information for educational purposes.
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