“I got my life back.”
I started my journey over seven years ago with Dr. Atwell when I had meniscus surgery. It went well, but over time, my knee joint became bone on bone. A couple of years ago, I was told a total knee replacement was my best option, but I kept putting it off—finding every excuse: my weight, the recovery, time off work, and many others.
Then, in fall 2024, the pain became unbearable. It wasn’t just discomfort; it was limiting my life. I knew I was too young to give up special moments of playing with my grandkids and traveling. It was time to take action.
Since Dr. Atwell had retired, I met with Dr. Wall, who immediately put me at ease. We scheduled surgery for the week of Thanksgiving, minimizing my time off as a school counselor.
I had never had surgery outside of a hospital before, so I was a bit apprehensive about the surgery center. But from the moment I arrived, I realized I had nothing to worry about. There was no waiting, and before I knew it, I was waking up to my husband and an amazing care team.
Then came the moment that truly surprised me: I walked down the hall with a walker almost immediately. I couldn’t believe it!
I had heard horror stories about PT after knee replacement, and honestly, I dreaded my first appointment. But God sent me Angelina and her intern, Driss, and my perspective quickly changed. They knew how to push me while keeping me at ease. They also figured out that I was determined to improve my range of motion at every visit—so they encouraged me, held my hand and supported me, and even tricked my muscles when needed!
Every single person I encountered at the PT office was kind and helpful. I loved seeing them because it was such a positive environment from the time I checked in until I walked back out the door. That is so hard to find in this world today.
My summit moment came when I hit 120 degrees of range of motion. I had worked so hard at PT and at home to accomplish this goal. When I hit it, I shouted with excitement and the entire room erupted in applause. It was so encouraging! That moment proved my hard work had paid off.
From the very beginning, I had one goal: to walk on the beach again, pain-free, and I happened to have a trip coming up the week after I finished PT. Angelina and Driss never let me forget what I was working toward. They even gave me exercises to mimic walking in the sand. And when the day finally came, I stepped onto the beach and walked to the ocean—without pain, without struggle, without hesitation. I can’t wait to get back outside with my grandkids and play hard.
Every difficult climb requires the right guide. That’s exactly what I had with Dr. Wall. He wasn’t just my surgeon; he was my partner in this journey, and I can’t thank him enough for relieving my pain. He had the knowledge and expertise you want in a surgeon while being encouraging throughout the process. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Angelina one more time. Her commitment to helping patients is truly a calling. She has the right combination of rigor tendered with care and compassion.
To anyone considering a total knee replacement: I cannot recommend Georgia Bone & Joint enough. It changed my life—and it can change yours too.
Ready to conquer your climb toward recovery? Take the first step – schedule your appointment today at Georgia Bone & Joint Surgeons!
