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Oct 11, 2023 Reporting from Niles, MI
Ready for an active retirement - Joan Peden
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/orthopedic-care/our-orthopedic-patients-say-it-best/Detail/ready-for-an-active-retirement/?utm_source=Ready_for_an_active_retirement&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Oct 11, 2023
Oct 11, 2023
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
With just a few years left in her 22-year career as an elementary school secretary, Joan Peden envisioned that her retirement would be filled with busy days alongside her family and friends. However, her dreams of an active life soon faded when she n
Ready for an active retirement - Joan Peden
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Ready for an active retirement - Joan Peden
Oct, 2023
Physicians: Daniel Sohn, M.D.
With just a few years left in her 22-year career as an elementary school secretary, Joan Peden envisioned that her retirement would be filled with busy days alongside her family and friends. However, her dreams of an active life soon faded when she noticed a constant pain in her right knee.
“I assumed the pain was just a normal part of aging,” she said. “I tried over-the-counter medication and temporary treatment shots for a while, but the pain would always come back and get worse with time.”
Joan was eager for relief and met with Corewell Health orthopedic surgeon Daniel Sohn, M.D., to discuss a solution.
"Dr. Sohn had repaired my husband's torn shoulder a few years back and he recovered wonderfully," said Joan. "I knew my care was in good hands with Dr. Sohn."
After an MRI scan of her knee, Dr. Sohn explained that she had severe cartilage loss and a horizontal tear in her meniscus, which had resulted in a nine-millimeter parameniscal cyst. The untreated tear overtime had allowed fluid from the knee joint to leak through the tear and cause a painful fluid-filled growth.
Joan opted for total knee replacement surgery, where parts of the knee joint would be replaced with artificial or prosthetic parts. Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common procedures in the United States, with more than 790,000 procedures performed each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“I was happy to have finally found a long-term solution that would take care of my knee pain,” said Joan. “Everyone I encountered treated me so well and I could tell that my safety and recovery was a priority.”
Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital is rated among the top 10% in both the nation and in the Midwest for Orthopedic Care Patient Safety in 2023, according to CareChex® by Quantros.
Joan was released from Corewell Health within a few hours after surgery.
“I was up and walking right after surgery,” she said. “I was surprised with how good I felt and that I could go home to recover in my own home and relax in my own bed.”
Getting back to living life
Today, Joan is enjoying life with no restrictions on her knee. Thanks to a successful surgery and her dedication to physical therapy, she is moving freely without pain. She’s grateful to return to her love of nature. You’ll find Joan outdoors, alongside her husband and dogs, maintaining their property, gardening and keeping up with their two young grandsons.
“I’m so grateful that I can enjoy my life again,” said Joan. “I missed so much because of my knee. If anyone has joint pain, my advice is don’t wait–get it looked at now because you could be spending time without the pain.”
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, visit shlakelandortho.com.