Knee replacement helps woman return to hobbies she loves

Lisa Wallace, 63, loves to garden, camp and mountain bike, but experienced gradual knee issues for years.

The pain came and went and was manageable, but when a Doberman ran into her sideways at a dog park and left her with a broken right knee, it brought the situation to a head.

While Wallace — who works at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center — was receiving cortisone injections to temporarily ease the pain in her right knee, her left knee was compensating and started acting up.

“Eventually, the pain was constant and excruciating,” she says. “I tried to power through it, but I could barely walk. I couldn’t garden or ride my bike.”

Wallace went to urgent care, where X-rays showed arthritis — the result of the wear and tear on her joints over the years.

“I needed to see a specialist,” she says. “I felt I had exhausted all avenues, and this was the next step.”

Wallace saw Kevin Lawson, MD, with MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Covington.

They discussed her options and decided a knee replacement for both knees was the best path forward.

“Even though they were both bad, I decided to get my left knee done first because the right one still responded to the cortisone,” she explains.

“I can’t say enough good things about my care team — from the receptionist at the orthopedics clinic to the PA who did follow-up with me, and of course Dr. Lawson, who was wonderful.”

While waiting for her surgery, scheduled for November of last year, Wallace admits she had some anxiety about it.

Wallace, with husband Ron, enjoy skiing together

“The required seminar that goes over what to expect during surgery helped quell my anxiety,” she says. “And the phone calls from the clinic staff leading up to surgery helped, too.”

Wallace’s surgery was outpatient, meaning she was able to go home the same day. It was also performed with the assistance of the ROSA Knee robotic system, which helps with a quicker recovery and less postoperative pain.

“Not all knees are the same or are affected the same by osteoarthritis,” Dr. Lawson explains. “The use of ROSA allows me to optimize and individualize knee replacement surgery for my patients. It also allows me to do the surgery my way, including how I balance and ultimately position the components of the knee replacement.”

Wallace credits her smooth recovery to her successful surgery and being diligent with physical therapy.

“I can’t say enough good things about my care team — from the receptionist at the orthopedics clinic to the PA who did follow-up with me, and of course Dr. Lawson, who was wonderful,” she adds.

Wallace is planning to get her right knee replaced later this year.

“We’ve already been camping this year, and I’m delighted to be gardening again. I’ll be on my bike again soon,” she says.