Eileen Panagiotopoulos

Growing up, my kneecaps would dislocate often. Because of that, it was difficult for me to participate in sports. I always wanted to run, but couldn't. I had my first knee surgery not at HSS when I was thirteen, followed by another at fourteen. This was the right solution at the time and enabled me to be more physically active for many years. I still had limitations but it was not a big deal.

When I was in my mid- forties, I started to have problems with my right knee again. My lower leg was out of alignment and my leg was not stable. My knee was painful. After several years of trying different things, I saw Dr. Windsor at HSS. Based on x-rays and evaluations, I decided it was time for a knee replacement. The surgery date was on my 50th birthday. Really! The recovery after the surgery was TOUGH and took a long time, but was it ever worth it. I remember the first time I walked up a few steps without holding onto a handrail. I was THRILLED! I hadn't done that in years.

At the same time, my left hip was constantly painful. I saw Dr. Douglas Padgett several months after the knee replacement and after two cortisone injections, that bought me some time, I decided to have a total hip replacement.

One year after the knee replacement, I was back at HSS. The hip surgery recovery was a breeze. Things were great for a few years. Then my right hip started being painful all the time. A couple of cortisone shots over a couple years helped relieve the pain. My left knee didn't want to be left out, so it started going south. At age 57, I decided to see Doctors Windsor and Padgett again. They gave me several options. Both the knee and hip were equally bad and needed replacement. One option was to do both surgeries on the same day. WOW! I decided to do that and move on with my life.

A week before the surgeries in January of 2014, my son told me the great news that he would be getting married in September. That was the happy thought I had in my mind going into the O.R. That was the happy thought on the tough days of recovery and PT. My goal was to dance at his wedding... and I DID! It wasn't a complicated dance, but nevertheless, it was a dance.

A year after the last two surgeries, I am riding my bike again, going for long walks, attempting yoga, and ready to dance at my daughter's wedding... whenever that may be :)

By the way, the surgeons were amazing and I can't thank them enough. The staff at HSS was great. I always felt like I was in good hands from admission to release and everything in-between.

I am so glad I chose to go to HSS. I had options that were closer to home, but I felt that HSS was the right place for me.