From Service to Strength: Patient Regains Mobility After Knee Surgery

Jerry Novak has spent nearly 50 years giving back to both his country and his community.

A proud veteran of the Marine Corps Reserves and National Guard, Novak served as a police officer with the El Centro Police Department for 30 years before retiring in 2010.

Retirement didn’t slow down the Imperial, California, resident, though. After briefly working as a bailiff with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, the 65-year-old now serves as the lead court security officer at the El Centro Federal Courthouse.

“I’m still wearing body armor and carrying a gun belt,” Novak said. “I’ve been in uniform since I was 17. It’s been almost 50 years. I still take pride in my job [and] try and do the best I can.”

Staying active has always been a big part of Novak’s life and work, but over time, constant knee pain made it harder to move comfortably and enjoy everyday activities.

“I like being able to help people and being there to protect people. And I got to the point where I thought I couldn’t even protect myself, let alone somebody else. And I didn’t like being that guy,” he said. “You want to still be able to take care of yourself. And, being in security, you want to be able to take care of other people, too.”

Although his wife suggested seeing an orthopedic specialist, Novak instead underwent months of physical therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections with minimal effect.

“I was so worried about having unnecessary surgery,” he said. “I went through more therapy for my knees without knowing what was wrong with my knees.”

Arthritis Causes “Wear and Tear” on Joints

After a year of chronic knee pain and stiffness, Novak scheduled an appointment with Brad S. Cohen, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in San Diego.

X-rays confirmed Novak had severe osteoarthritis in both knees. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., impacting more than 53 million adults.

Often called the “wear-and-tear” disease, osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage breaks down, causing bones to rub together. This leads to pain and limited mobility.

“Walking any distance at all just killed me because the knees were bone on bone,” Novak said. “There was no cartilage to cushion anything, and that really restricted me.”

While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, various treatment options can help manage symptoms and protect joint function.

Lifestyle changes, like switching from high-impact running to low-impact walking, can make a big difference. Physicians may prescribe over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to reduce pain symptoms.

A patient’s pain level and treatment history help determine if surgery is the right option.

“I never want to talk anybody into surgery. It’s all elective,” Dr. Cohen said. “When your pain is bad enough, we can fix it, but you don’t have to have it done. It’s about quality of life.”

Patient Chooses Knee Replacements

After consulting with Dr. Cohen, Novak chose joint replacement surgery for both knees at Poway Surgery Center in Poway, California. He started with his left knee on Jan. 31, followed by the right knee six weeks later.

“I wanted to be able to just start from square one and just rehabilitate my knees and just get the best life I can,” Novak said. “I really want to maintain my mobility.”

Approximately 790,000 knee replacement procedures are performed in the United States every year. During this procedure, the knee itself is not replaced, but an implant is used to re-cap the damaged bone ends.

Dr. Cohen said Novak was a good candidate for surgery for several reasons.

“He was having trouble standing in the courtroom. He was having trouble walking far distances. He was having trouble going up and down stairs. Then, on top of that, he had pain,” Dr. Cohen said. “With all those things in mind, that’s why you go ahead and have a knee replacement.”

ASCs Benefit Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement

Doctors determine whether patients are suitable for outpatient surgery based on their age, existing medical conditions and the support they receive at home.

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) offer convenient, high-quality patient care often at a lower cost than other facilities. Although Poway Surgery Center is a two-hour drive from his home, Novak said he appreciated the personalized, same-day care for his knee surgeries.

“I had a very good experience with the Poway Surgical Center. They just did a really good job,” he said. “Everybody’s been so nice and efficient and professional, and they’ve all been very friendly. It was so simple because everything was done there. It was just a very pleasant experience.”

Improved Mobility, Quality of Life

After each surgery, Novak was discharged home from the ASC the same day. He began physical therapy at his home within days and continued for several weeks in an outpatient setting.

“Being able to move better and everything healing [properly], that’s one of the reasons why [physical] therapy is so important,” he said. “It’s better to have a little pain and therapy, and then you have a better quality of life later on in life.”

Dr. Cohen said patients should generally avoid high-impact activities such as running or sports that involve contact or jumping, like basketball.

“The main thing that we don’t want people to do is pounding on the knees,” he said. “When they’re coming to us, they can barely walk, or they’re having pain walking. So, our goal is to give them a painless gait and to give them the ability to exercise.”

Novak said his mobility has improved with physical therapy and exercise. Workouts included walking on an elliptical and riding a recumbent stationary bicycle.

“My left knee was really bad. When I walked it just hurt, and I could barely go downstairs. I was taking the elevator all the time. I could do the stairs, and it would kill me afterwards. It was so painful,” he said. “And, now I can do stairs, and it doesn’t hurt afterwards.”

As he regains strength and endurance, Novak looks forward to returning to his role at the El Centro Federal Courthouse.

“I was at the point where I couldn’t do my job,” he said. “And I’m going to be able to do my job again.”

Dr. Cohen celebrates Novak’s rehabilitation and new lease on life.

“I’m just thrilled he had such a great result,” he said. “I’m just wishing him the best.”

Take Control of Your Joint Health

Proactive care puts you on the path to lasting comfort and mobility. If arthritis is making it hard to stay active or enjoy daily life, you don’t have to live with constant joint pain.

“Go to an orthopedic specialist right away when you’re having problems. I just wasted a year of being in pain and lacking mobility,” Novak said. “Get a good surgeon. Surgery is surgery. There’s no 100 percent guarantee, but you’re guaranteed to be suffering if you don’t get it. It’s worked out well for me.”

Addressing joint pain early can help you stay active and maintain your independence. Our board-certified orthopedists are here to guide you. Find a nearby orthopedic center and schedule your evaluation today.

This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider.