I am a 78 year old male, who has suffered and become increasingly debilitated over the last 25 years. For the past 5 years especially I became less and less able to engage in my life and with my family. I had Rickets as an infant and both of my legs were bowed. I also suffer from severe osteoarthritis, and my legs could not straighten out to 180 degrees, so my knees were always bent. I was realizing that I was rapidly looking forward to life in a wheelchair. My right leg was so bowed that I did not believe that I could benefit from knee replacement.
Well, I was wrong.
What Dr. Parks was able to accomplish with my total knee replacement (TKR) was, in my opinion, a miracle. I now have my right leg straight and steady as a rock. My ankle used to be at about a 10 degree angle coming out of my shoe. Now, it is at a right angle like the rest of the world. My sciatica is also improved because I am not standing so crooked anymore.
I told Dr. Michael Parks that to me he will always be Dr. Michelangelo Parks because I, and all who know me, cannot believe how he sculpted my knee and how great my leg turned out. It’s been about 10 weeks post-op and I am able to easily walk up and down all of the 27 steps in my house, am driving and can do about 90% of the activities that I choose to engage in.
Now, I can't wait to have the other knee done in a couple of weeks. This, even knowing how hard the recovery is, is totally worth all that is involved. I also want to thank Dr. Vincent LaSala, whose anesthesia protocols eased my way into and out of my surgery.
For the first time in my adult, conscious memory I had absolutely no pain for hours after my surgery. It was such a unique experience, to not have any pain, that I cried tears of joy in recovery room. Of course Stephanie Russ-McRae, and all of the nursing staff have been remarkably pleasant and professional and easy to work with coordinating all of my care and helping with my recovery. Thank you.
My overall experience with Dr. Parks and all at HSS has been extraordinary. I simply cannot say enough good things about how pleased how this frightened old man was made to feel so much better and now, I am looking forward to a more active and engaged life.
All by Physician