Our Orthopedic Patients Say It Best

Jul 31, 2020 Reporting from Niles, MI

An all-state recovery - Donnie Necas

https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/orthopedic-care/our-orthopedic-patients-say-it-best/Detail/An-All-State-Recovery/88861539-ae38-4909-b673-c2c6746133bb/?utm_source=An_All-State_Recovery&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages

Jul 31, 2020

Jul 31, 2020

SpectrumHealth Lakeland

Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us.&nb

An all-state recovery - Donnie Necas

SpectrumHealth Lakeland

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An all-state recovery - Donnie Necas

Jul, 2020

Physicians: Joseph Farber, MD

Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us. 

All-state athlete, Donnie Necas, spent a majority if his high school career in a jersey. He played football, basketball, and his favorite sport, baseball, for Bridgman High School. During his junior year, Donnie was running the football when he was tackled and his leg bent sideways.

At first Donnie thought the tackle had only caused some tightness in the muscles, but when he woke up the next morning to a painfully swollen knee, Donnie feared the worst. Donnie’s father had previously suffered his own knee injury, and knew right away it was more serious than a typical muscle strain. Donnie’s father had seen an orthopedic surgeon for shoulder pain in the past and was impressed by the care he received. The family decided to schedule an appointment with orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Joseph Farber, MD, to look at Donnie’s injuries.

After an initial visit, Dr. Farber diagnosed Donnie with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral meniscus on his left leg. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee can be injured during sporting activities, particularly when an athlete pivots suddenly. The ACL is one of four knee ligaments that stabilize the knee. A torn ACL is common in professional and recreational athletes across multiple different sports.

Surgery was required to repair the torn ligaments and the procedure was scheduled at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph within a few days of Donnie’s initial visit. Dr. Farber was able to reconstruct a new ACL ligament and repair Donnie’s lateral meniscus back together. This technique would allow him to return to full capacity sooner.

“Dr. Farber was great and very reassuring” Donnie shared. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to play the sports I love, but Dr. Farber helped me understand that if I followed the outpatient therapies and instructions from him, I would be able to return better than ever.”

Lakeland Rehabilitation uses proven evidence-based practices with one goal in mind— to return you back to optimal health and get you back to normal activities as soon as possible.

Less than a year after surgery Donnie was back on the field playing wide receiver and cornerback for the all-state Bridgman football team. Even though his senior year of high school was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Donnie is excited for his future. He plans to play baseball at Lake Michigan College in the fall and has Dr. Farber to thank for helping him get back in the game.

*Photography credit: Harrington Photography of Three Oaks