“You just have to want it and don’t give up and don’t give in.  It is certainly not easy, but for me it is certainly worth it. “

I had my first knee replacement surgery in 2008 and the other in 2020.  The first was done to “get my life back.”  I was only 51 but had torn my ACL and LCL in an awkward fall on the beach while playing a paddleball game in 1985. 

I had reconstructive surgery and other than only getting some of my range of motion back, I was able to go back to the things I enjoyed doing, tennis, bicycling and occasional snow skiing.  I actually did not learn to water ski until 1993.  In 2000 I had a second surgery to clean out torn meniscus and was hoping to get more range of motion afterwards.  Instead, what I got was arthritis.  

“My tennis days were kind of over.  I was losing to people I had been beating all my life.  I couldn't make a pedal stroke on a bike unless I raised the seat so high my feet couldn’t touch the ground.”

I had looked into a knee replacement before I met Dr Harris but was told by another doctor that I was too young because the replacements typically only lasted 10 years and that a replacement of a replacement was not an option.  Another doctor suggested making an appointment with Dr Harris.  

I remember asking him about that and he said that at one time that was true, but that it could replace replacements and they would last 20 years if I did not abuse it. 

“After that third surgery and first replacement, I was able to do almost everything after about 6 months and felt mostly recovered and by 12 months was better than I had been since 1985. “

It took a lot of therapy work to get it back, but I was determined and did not skip any steps or take any shortcuts.  I snow skied the next year and water skied after about 9 months.

“What I discovered as I recovered was that my mind felt sharper and that I had fewer moody periods.  I think I had been using more brain power than I realized just trying to mentally block out the pain. Now that space was available in my brain for other things.  I felt free-er.”

San Antonio Orthopædic Specialists is a patient-focused practice committed to providing you and your loved ones the care and attention you deserve. Our highly experienced specialists are dedicated to providing the highest quality orthopedic services.

Get to know Dr. Harris by scheduling an appointment with him or any of our orthopedic specialists at San Antonio Orthopædic Specialists today!