Ten years ago, Anthony Pikul Jr., 73, of Avenel never imagined the arthritis in his knee could become so bad he wouldn’t be able to attend a ballgame. But last fall, he could no longer walk from his car to the sports stadium entrance.
Ten years ago, Anthony Pikul Jr., 73, of Avenel never imagined the arthritis in his knee could become so bad he wouldn’t be able to attend a ballgame. But last fall, he could no longer walk from his car to the sports stadium entrance.
“I put off the surgery more than 10 years because I thought I could live with the pain, even though X-rays showed my cartilage was worn out and my knee joint had bone-on-bone contact,” says Mr. Pikul. “My walk was deformed and the pain was always there, but I still felt I could put up with it—until this past year. Then the pain became unbearable and I couldn’t walk. I finally made up my mind and had total knee replacement surgery on November 2, 2010.”
Homerun Decision
Following the surgery at the Joint Replacement Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway, Mr. Pikul began rehabilitation.
“My knee and leg are now straight, and I can walk and sleep pain-free,” Mr. Pikul says. “The rehab staff at the Joint Replacement Center is 100 percent on top of everything. They know exactly what they are doing and how to urge me through the necessary strain the rehab exercises put on me—which I need. This year marks the beginning of a whole new life for me, thanks to my new knee and rehab.”
“The hospital and rehab staff members at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway were perfect. When I go for rehabilitation, the Joint Care Coordinator, Phil Colombrita, always makes time to come see me. In fact, he stops in to greet every patient. That commitment speaks of the high quality of care and attention to detail this program provides.”