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I wish I had done it sooner.

Photo of Paula Garrett
 
What really helped me was all the confidence my doctor and all of the nurses exuded about my ability to do things. I knew if the nurse was telling me I could get out of bed the day after the surgery then I would be able to, because she said I could. And, I did! Now I can get back to the things I love: working in my garden and playing with
my grandchildren.
 
Paula Garrett, age 70, Retired School Teacher, Knee Replacement Alumnus

Constant knee pain kept this active gardener and grandmother from doing the things she loved most.

"I couldn't get off the floor after being down there with my grandchildren. It was so upsetting."

Paula Garrett spent years teaching young children in two Charlottesville elementary schools. Now it was time to enjoy her own grandchildren but pain in her left knee kept her from doing the simple things she had expected to do as she had for so many years before. It was after the cortisone shots stopped being effective that she knew she had to make a change. Garrett sought advice from orthopedic surgeon David Witmer, MD, who explained her osteoarthritiss wasn't going to get any better and she needed a knee replacement.

After having all her questions answered at the joint replacement camp she was ready to schedule surgery.

"I'm so sorry I waited. I wish I had done it four or five years ago. My fear took over and I just thought it would be so much worse than it was. I was even afraid of the therapy afterward. It just wasn't as bad as I thought. I wish I had done it sooner."