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Dec 3, 2018 Reporting from Niles, MI
Patient's Choice - Ruth Still
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/orthopedic-care/our-orthopedic-patients-say-it-best/Detail/patient's-choice/?utm_source=Patient%27s_Choice&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Dec 3, 2018
Dec 3, 2018
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
Patient's Choice - Ruth Still
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Patient's Choice - Ruth Still
Dec, 2018
Physicians: Daniel Sohn, 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.
After a minor procedure on her toe, Ruth Still, 69, of St. Joseph was moving with extra caution to protect her foot. But one afternoon as she was carrying a case of water up the two small steps between her garage and house, an awkward step caused instant pain in her left knee.
“I thought it was a sprain at first,” said Ruth. “My X-ray didn’t show anything wrong, so I kept exercising to work the sprain out.”
But the pain only got worse, making it difficult for Ruth to continue normal activities or even get comfortable enough to sleep. Ultimately, an MRI showed Ruth had fractured her left tibial plateau, meaning there was a break in the bone of the lower knee that did not go through the skin.
Ruth knew it was time to call the office of orthopedic surgeon Daniel Sohn, MD.
“During the appointment, Dr. Sohn explained everything to me,” said Ruth. “And he gave me options.”
Those treatment options included knee replacement surgery or subchondroplasty, a procedure using an injection of calcium phosphate cement to stabilize the bone. The cement hardens in about 10 minutes, bracing the injured bone while it is eventually replaced by new bone.
“When Dr. Sohn suggested cement, I didn’t know what to think,” said Ruth. “I had never heard of the procedure, but I didn’t want a knee replacement if I didn’t have to get one.”
For Ruth, bone cement was the most minimally invasive option. When it came time to schedule the procedure, Dr. Sohn also exceeded Ruth’s expectations.
“Dr. Sohn was so responsive,” said Ruth. “I called on a Monday, saw him on Tuesday, and had surgery on Wednesday. He fit me in so quickly, and I didn’t have to go another week in severe pain.”
A few days after the procedure, Ruth was moving well enough to attend a wedding, using a walker and a splint. By the next week, she was able to walk without any aids or follow-up therapy.
A month later, Ruth met with Dr. Sohn to follow up on her results.
“He came in and asked about my pain,” said Ruth. “When I said it was much better, he was tickled pink. He was beaming ear to ear. He even showed me an actual video of him injecting the bone cement!”
As Ruth continues to recover, she has returned to enjoying retirement with her husband Jerry.
“There were times in the first month after the procedure that I had to sit down or take a break, but I was still able to do everything I normally would,” said Ruth.
Although she wouldn’t have chosen to go through the fracture, Ruth is certain about her decision to see Dr. Sohn, as he and the care team worked with her every step of the way.
“Overall, Dr. Sohn, his office staff, and my care team were really great,” said Ruth. “What I valued most was that Dr. Sohn gave me options and included me in the process. I was able to choose what was best for me.”