About eight years ago, I had surgery to replace my left knee joint at a practice in another city. Six months later, the joint failed and I had to have it done all over again. At the time, I was told that my right knee would likely need to be replaced at some point in the future as well.
Having had the bad experience that I did, I was very reluctant to have the right knee looked at when it started giving me troubles after a recent airline flight home. I asked a doctor at another specialty practice in Newport News to recommend an orthopedic surgeon to me. He suggested Dr. Boyd Haynes. Appreciatively, he was able to see me on relatively short notice. I made the appointment and fully expected that he would tell me that the time had come for surgery on my right knee.
To my surprise, he recommended a course of oral medication, one prescription and two over the counter medicines. The Rx medicine took about a week to calm the inflammation in the joint, and the combination of over the counter pain med and the glucosamine/chondroitin worked together to enable me to reengage in the activities that I enjoy, but which I could not do after the recent flare up. These include about 45 minutes on the elliptical daily and riding my bike.
At 64, I am appreciative to Dr. Haynes for his suggestions to avoid surgery and still provide a solution to my knee pain. I feel that I am back to my normal routine again and the whole matter was resolved in about a month. I may need the surgery at some point in the future, but, for now, I am just as glad that I do not. I am grateful to Dr. Haynes and his advice.
Lewis Downs