Our Orthopedic Patients Say It Best

Your friends and neighbors from throughout southwest Michigan and beyond share their experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland. Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form. 
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Nov 26, 2019 Reporting from Niles, MI
Nothing to Be Scared Of - Tom Norbey
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/orthopedic-care/our-orthopedic-patients-say-it-best/Detail/Nothing-to-Be-Scared-Of/e8e650c4-6154-48a8-aa09-36a99d8a9f6f/?utm_source=Nothing_to_Be_Scared_Of&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Nov 26, 2019
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

Nothing to Be Scared Of - Tom Norbey

SpectrumHealth Lakeland

Nothing to Be Scared Of - Tom Norbey

Nov, 2019

Physicians: Justin Sybesma, 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. 

Before considering knee replacement surgery, Tom Norbey, of Stevensville, spent years in pain. He owns a painting company and it was challenging to climb a ladder.

Tom struggled while participating in hobbies including gardening, hunting, and working out with his friends. Tom’s family enjoys going on active vacations and he had trouble keeping up with them while exploring major cities and hiking. At this point, Tom knew something had to be done.

“I was familiar with Dr. Sybesma and heard he was the best in the area,” said Tom. “Together we discussed my condition and solutions to ease the pain.”

Orthopedic surgeon, Justin Sybesma, MD, recommended an x-ray to get a better idea of what was causing Tom’s knee pain. He soon learned lack of cartilage in his left knee was to blame, causing his bone to grind on top of the other bone.  Tom had been a state-champion cross-country runner in high school, running an average of 20 miles each week in training. Coupled with kneeling for many years while on the job, his active lifestyle was catching up with him.

First, Tom opted to try a noninvasive approach using steroid injections. He noticed relief for a couple of days and then the pain would return, causing him to limp again. After trying collagen injections with the same result, Tom realized it was time to move on to surgery.

Being a younger knee replacement candidate (in his early 50s), Tom thoughtfully considered if he should have surgery. Dr. Sybesma counseled him that improved quality of life would have great benefits.

“Dr. Sybesma is easy to talk to and explained everything down to the minute details, which I really appreciated,” said Tom. “The day of surgery, Dr. Sybesma walked in the room to check on me and he made me feel so calm and comfortable.”

Dr. Sybesma performed a successful knee replacement at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. Tom recognized the high level of professionalism the entire staff, from nurses and doctors to the anesthesiologist, delivered. He was up walking the day after surgery and spent the next two days in the hospital recovering.

“A knee surgery can be a scary thing,” said Tom. “But when it was all said and done, it was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done thanks to Dr. Sybesma and the rest of the Lakeland team.”

Upon returning home, a homecare nurse visited Tom every other day for a couple of weeks to assist with exercising, mobility, and building the muscle back. Once he was able to drive, Tom went to rehabilitation at Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy to continue to gain his strength.

Since his knee surgery, he is back to everyday life, pain free. Tom can keep up with his family on vacations, garden, hunt, and work out with his buddies.

“I’ve recommended many of my friends to Dr. Sybesma and they have all been very pleased with their experiences,” said Tom. “He has the best bedside manner I’ve ever seen.” 

Watch more of Tom's story in the video below:

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