Total knee replacement surgery is available at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls

As we age, arthritic knee pain can prevent us from doing the things we love and daily activities we often take for granted. For Charlie, a retiree in northern Wisconsin,arthritic pain in both knees worsened to the point where climbing stairs, getting into his truck, and shoveling his driveway became painfully difficult tasks. 

At a time he should have been enjoying his golden years, Charlie yearned for relief. He scheduled a consultation with Dr. Mark Schick, a Prevea Health orthopedic surgeon specializing in total knee replacement surgery at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. After discussing the persistent pain and stiffness Charlie was experiencing in his knees, Dr. Schick carefully weighed the pros and cons of different options for surgery. Because Charlie was in good health and both his knees were severely affected by arthritis, Dr. Schick supported Charlie’s decision to have both knees replaced at once.

“Dr. Schick made it clear that I was an excellent candidate for simultaneous knee replacement surgeries,” Charlie recalls. “For me, this meant I would only have to undergo recovery from the surgery and physical therapy once, rather than twice.” 

In his journey to a more comfortable life, Charlie had access to all of the care he needed in one convenient location. From surgery at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital with Dr. Schick, to physical therapy at the Prevea Oconto Falls Medical Services Building (located on the hospital campus), Charlie was provided the comprehensive level of care he needed, close to home.

“A couple of hours following my surgery, Prevea physical therapists were guiding me through stretches, stair-climbing exercises and short walks,” said Charlie. “I believe Dr. Schick’s pre-surgery counseling, which emphasized the importance of learning these exercises prior to surgery, really helped contribute to my recovery process.”

Within the first month following his surgery, Charlie noticed the pain and weakness in his knees was improving significantly every week. Additionally, one of his legs, which bowed significantly before surgery, was now straight. Over time, and through continued physical therapy, he continued to improve.

“Over the course of about five months of physical therapy, both with therapists and on my own, I gained confidence in my new knees,” said Charlie. “I now have more stability and can walk upwards of two to
three miles at a time.”

Today, Charlie can hop into his truck easily once again, clear his driveway after snowstorms without pain, and sleep in comfort thanks to the care he received from Dr. Schick, Prevea Health and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

With Prevea Health and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, great medical care is closer than you think! Please visit www.prevea.com/closer to learn more about all of the health care services and locations provided in Oconto County by Prevea Health and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Schick in Oconto Falls, please call (920) 272-3300 or schedule an appointment online at: www.prevea.com.