More than 10 years ago at age 39, Glenda Forbuss completely shattered her knee cap after a bad fall. Although unpleasant, she experienced little pain with the injury until a few years later. That’s when physicians diagnosed her with early stage osteoarthritis of the knee, which they were able to manage with medications.
In 2002, Glenda was involved in two major car accidents six months apart. During one of the accidents, Glenda was stopped at a red light when a drunk driver hit her car from behind. That’s when her pain took a turn for the worse and a back injury occurred.
Over the course of a few months, Glenda’s pain continued to intensify. The pain in her back soon immobilized her legs. “I was on 15 different medications and it made it difficult to perform daily activities,” she said. Glenda thought her life would never be the same, and for a long time it was not.
Nonsurgical Alternative
In winter 2005, Glenda began physical therapy that eventually relieved her back pain. Unfortunately, it looked like a total knee replacement was the only option remaining for her left knee. Out of ideas, Glenda scheduled the surgery.
That spring, Glenda was working in her garden when a neighbor stopped by to visit. When Glenda mentioned her impending knee surgery, he asked if she had considered a pain-relieving knee device.
Glenda made an appointment with William E. Schreiber, MD, at Azalea Orthopedics to learn more, and together they decided to try the BioniCare® Knee Device.
The BioniCare Knee Device is the only noninvasive treatment available for osteoarthritis of the knee, and it does not entail the use of pharmaceutical drugs. The unique treatment option, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, delivers pulsed electrical signals directly to the knee that can provide significant improvement with no serious side effects.
Answered Prayers
Glenda used the device on both knees in conjunction with physical therapy (see Explore the Alternatives article). Wearing the devices nine to 10 hours at night over a three-month period, her pain went from severe to mild, and she was able to perform daily activities virtually pain-free. Glenda no longer needs cortisone shots to control the pain and is down to one or two painkillers a week.
Glenda is elated that she does not need surgery and now has enough strength in her legs to swim, walk on the treadmill, and enjoy everyday life without debilitating pain. She says, “I’m not chasing the things of life anymore but enjoying them. BioniCare was an answer to my prayers.”
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“I’m not chasing the things of life
anymore but enjoying them. BioniCare was an answer to my prayers.” |
Azalea Orthopedics has nine physicians who prescribe the BioniCare® Knee Device. They are
Timothy L. Beck, MD, Robert W. Dennis, MD, Kim A. Foreman, MD, Jan H. Garrett, MD,
James Robert Harris, MD, William E. Schreiber, MD, Jerry W. Schwarzbach, MD, M. Joseph Shepard, MD, and Patrick Wupperman, MD.
Experienced, efficient, accessible, and specialized describe Azalea Orthopedics’ physicians. Whether it’s in the area of sports medicine, surgery, or rehabilitation, our physicians are here to help you in their areas of specialty:
Timothy L. Beck, MD: orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities
John T. Camp, MD: orthopedic surgery of the hand and upper extremities
Carey A. Clark III, MD: orthopedic surgery of the hand and upper extremities
Robert W. Dennis, MD: orthopedic surgery and arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder with advanced training in sports medicine
Kim A. Foreman, MD: orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and arthroscopic surgery
Jan H. Garrett, MD: orthopedic surgery and total joint replacement of the shoulder, hip, and knee
Gary P. Goodfried, MD: orthopedic surgery and
reconstruction and total joint replacement of the hip
and knee
James Robert Harris, MD: orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery
L. Matthew Jones, MD: orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and arthroscopic surgery
John Priddy, MD: orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in foot and ankle surgery
Todd M. Raabe, MD: orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in adult and pediatric spinal surgery
Michael E. Russell II, MD: orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in spine surgery and the treatment of spine injury, deformity, and degeneration
William E. Schreiber, MD: orthopedic surgery, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, total knee replacement, and sports medicine
Jerry W. Schwarzbach, MD: physical medicine and rehabilitation with an emphasis in electrodiagnostic medicine
M. Joseph Shepard, MD: orthopedic surgery and total joint replacement of shoulders, hips, and knees
John F. Walker, MD: orthopedic surgery, total joint reconstruction, shoulder care, and arthroscopic surgery
Patrick L. Wupperman, MD: orthopedic surgery with an emphasis in sports medicine and complex shoulder and knee problems
For more information about Azalea’s physicians, please visit www.azaleaortho.com.