My Comeback Story: Sara C.

I have been experiencing sharp, intermittent knee pain when going up and down stairs for about seven years. Both of my knees have experienced the pain, but my right knee has been the most painful. I have tried strengthening the surrounding muscles at the gym with little success. After visiting Dr. Kramer and having an MRI done on my right knee, it revealed that I have maltracking of the patellar (kneecap) and osteoarthritis (cartilage damage) due to “wear and tear” over the years. Most likely, I have this in my other knee as well. I informed Dr. Kramer that my priority was to treat me in such a way that I would be able to join friends of mine on an Incan trail hike to Machu Picchu in the following 4 months. We both agreed that physical therapy and knee injections would be the best, non-surgical treatment to allow me to complete this bucket list hike. After 11 weeks of physical therapy and 3 knee injections of hyaluronic acid gel, I am proud to say that I hiked hundreds of old, steep, Incan stone steps, a canopy tower in the Amazon and other hikes on this Peru trip…with NO knee pain in my right knee! I had a few zingers in my left knee, but that one did not receive HA injections. I continue to perform physical therapy exercises at the gym to keep myself strong and prevent further deterioration. I am proof that not all knee pain will result in the need for surgery! Thank you to my ortho team, Dr. Kramer, Tori M., my physical therapist, and Brian B., PA, for helping me reach my goal.