Sue Oshea, 54, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 42. The Bridgeport resident immediately tried over the counter medications, such as Omega oil pills and glucosamine. But time took its toll on her joints, and by age 52, the Bridgeport resident had to retire from her massage therapy job. At that time, the pain in her knees was so unbearable, it was difficult to get out of bed in the morning.
“Every day was like climbing a mountain and never reaching the top,” Sue admits. “I would often have a pity party for myself, until I realized that were other people in worse shape.”
Just as she was about to purchase a wheelchair, Dr. Paul Atkinson, Oshea’s orthopedic surgeon at MetroSouth Medical Center suggested that surgery was her best option. An MRI showed that her knees were “bone on bone.” Dr. Atkinson said that “surgery was a much better alternative than a wheelchair.”
Sue had her first knee replacement surgery at MetroSouth Medical Center in May of 2009 and the other knee was replaced in September of the same year. Both surgeries were successful and she is thankful to MetroSouth Medical Center and Dr. Atkinson for changing her life.
“I was pain free immediately after surgery,” she says. “I had two surgeries within four months. The recuperation took some time, but now I am able to do leg presses and walk on a treadmill. I have my life back again.”
Knee Pain Loves women is the focus of MetroSouth’s campaign. During the month of April, MetroSouth Medical Center is offering a complimentary tool kit for women who want to strengthen their hamstring/quads to prevent or eliminate knee pain. The free kit consists of a therapeutic strengthening band and a helpful card that explains five simple, at-home exercises.
The “Knee Pain Loves Women” toolkit is available by emailing us at info@metrosouthmedicalcenter.com and supplying your NAME and MAILING ADDRESS or the gift shop in the MetroSouteh Medical Center main lobby.
