A Life Changing Decision Brings an Optimistic Future

As an active person, Cindy was frustrated because she was being held back by a painful knee.

For years, the ache was there. It finally became so unbearable that Cindy reached out to Physical Therapist Stephanie Edgette at Upland Hills Health
for relief. Physical therapy worked for a few years, but the pain returned with a vengeance, so she scheduled another PT appointment, just as the pandemic hit.
The appointment had to be postponed.

Hoping it would get better on its own did not work.

“I put off making a new appointment for PT, but the pain just kept getting worse,” Cindy explained. “I could not get comfortable no matter what position I tried. It was hard to sleep, it hurt to walk. It really limited what I could do. And the pain was always there.”

In 2023, imaging revealed that the cartilage in her knee was worn down to almost nothing. It was then that she was referred to Dr. Anthony Villare, an orthopedic surgeon at Upland Hills Health.

“Over time, the cartilage that forms a cushion between bones can deteriorate and bone begins to rub on bone. That is very painful,” according to Dr. Villare. “The good news is that we can ease the pain by replacing parts or all the knee joint. In Cindy’s case, we did a total knee replacement. As a surgeon, I was extremely pleased with her results. It can be a life-changing experience
to regain mobility and return to doing activities we like to do.”

During Cindy’s surgery, Dr. Villare used the Mako robotic-arm assisted total knee replacement technology. This technology allows the physician to pre-plan the surgery to determine exactly the right size and shape of the implant. During surgery, Dr. Villare guides the robotic arm to precisely remove diseased bone and cartilage, then he inserts the knee implant.

Cindy’s big surprise after the surgery? The pain was gone. Dr. Villare’s team worked closely with Cindy’s physical therapists throughout her recovery and rehabilitation. She said Nate, her physical therapist, was knowledgeable, persistent, and always very kind he encouraged her to do a little more each session.

Why did Cindy choose Upland Hills Health?

“If I had to drive in traffic for an hour, figure out parking and face the delays in scheduling everything from the first appointment to the surgery, I would have put it off much longer,” she said. “I drove to, Dodgeville for the surgery and had physical therapy in my hometown. Everything was so much easier and
remarkably successful, too.”

Cindy is now looking forward to gardening again, an activity that she had to table when her knee hurt.

“I have a much more optimistic outlook on the future now that my knee is not holding me back,” she added.To learn more about Upland Hills Health orthopedic department, visit: uplandhillshealth/orthopedics.