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'The Time Came To Make A Decision'

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Lynn Weaver, who had knee replacement surgery two months ago, uses her staircase for fitness to help with her recovery.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2009

Lynn Weaver, 66, Tampa

Goal: Get my knee replaced so I can dance (even jitterbug) again with my husband.

Why I did it: I have a passion for dancing with my husband of 44 years. We spent seven or eight years dancing up to four nights a week. But I think it was the line dancing that started my knee problems.

Over the years I developed arthritis, bursitis and a bone spur. I actually had bone grinding every time I moved, which was incredibly painful. I started to overcompensate by putting more weight on my "good" knee, but even that didn't help in the end.

Over the years, my primary care doctor and I tried a lot of different treatments for my knee. At first, I tried cortisone shots, then physical therapy. I even tried an injection of a gel that's made out of a rooster's comb called hyaluronic acid. I also enrolled in a clinical trial for a sister drug to the gel, but nothing worked.

My knee pain grew so great that even walking a block became too difficult. I used to be an active person who enjoyed riding bikes and taking long nature walks, but when I couldn't walk a block I knew I had to look into total knee replacement if I wanted to be active again.

How I did it: My friend's mother had a total knee replacement done by an orthopedic surgeon at Memorial Hospital of Tampa. If she could do it, so could I. The doctor, Daniel Murphy, suggested I try a brace on my knee first, but I didn't want to and decided to go straight to the surgery.

He recommended a new technique in knee replacement called the OtisKnee, which is all about getting a custom-fit knee. You get an MRI, which is sent to a company that makes a 3D image of your knee. They create a template to guide the doctor about where and how much bone to shave away so the new knee will fit.

Because my husband is a retired sheet-metal worker, I knew the importance of a 100th of an inch in making the precise cut, so I understood how the OtisKnee would help. From everything I read about total knee replacement, the better the implant fits, the better the outcome.

To prepare for the surgery and recovery, I stocked up the groceries and made some dinners my husband could easily heat up. I did my Christmas shopping ahead of time and asked my daughter and daughter-in-law to help with the Christmas shopping for my grandkids. My daughter got my tree up and house decorated. Friends brought meals in. I had a lot of help.

After my total knee replacement surgery on Nov. 17, I've been recovering well. I quickly stopped using a crutch, walker and cane. I went to physical rehabilitation and had to learn to use both legs again, instead of over-relying on my "good" knee. I finished physical therapy in early January, and that was consistent with my treatment plan.

Hurdles: Just deciding to go through total knee replacement was a hurdle. You always wonder: Is it going to be good enough? Am I going to be sorry, because there's no turning back once you do it? But the time came to make a decision and get it done.

When rehab started after the surgery, I really didn't think I could do it. It's hard work. But as it progressed, I started to do better, and I could see the results from it.

Going the distance: My goal right now is to get back to a more active life and to be able to dance with my husband. However, I've probably retired from line dancing for good. I should be back to bike rides and nature walks soon.

I've missed being able to play on the floor with my grandkids, who are 4 and 6. I also plan to take these two and my two teenage grandkids to Busch Gardens, which I haven't been able to do in a long time.

I'm a small person, and it helps that I'm not overweight. I'll be able to maintain a good level of activity with my new knee by continuing to watch what I eat and by walking and cycling, doing housework and playing with grandkids and, maybe someday, with great-grandkids

Best advice: Don't put off knee replacement surgery. If your doctor suggests it, you should do it. I got to the point where I couldn't stand the pain anymore, and I did more damage to other parts of my body when I overcompensated.

Also, I firmly believe that the more advanced the technology your doctor uses in knee replacement surgery, the better chance you have of a great outcome.

I Made It is a regular feature highlighting individual fitness success stories and does not reflect the opinions of 4 you, which encourages you to work with a trainer or doctor, or research ahead of time any new fitness plans. To share your story, visit T

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