Finally Enjoying Relief After 10 Years of Knee Pain
Mother, Dog Owner, Total Knee Replacement Patient
"If you’re living with knee pain, don’t hesitate to consult a surgeon; I couldn’t have asked for better results from mine."
Alpena resident Diana Mason-LaCross would be the first to admit that she waited way too long to have knee replacement surgery. Not being one who likes to ask for help and always holding active jobs, she was hesitant to take the time off she thought it would require. Instead, she worked through discomfort to the point of being unable to stand to cook and earning the observation ‘you wobble like a weeble’ from her daughter. Eventually, her pain was no longer tolerable, and she was referred to MyMichigan Health Orthopedic Surgeon Kristalyn Mauch, M.D. Mason-LaCross has since had both knees replaced by Dr. Mauch and completed physical therapy at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. She is happy to be back to cooking dinner without pain and is enjoying walking her dogs again.
Mason-LaCross consulted a surgeon 20 years ago and was told she was a good candidate for knee replacements, but that she was too young. Subsequent 14 to 16-hour workdays didn’t help the condition of her knees. When her primary care provider recently told her that consulting with a new orthopedic surgeon could no longer be put off, Mason-LaCross was happy to connect with Dr. Mauch. “I appreciated Dr. Mauch’s straightforward style,” she said. “She also has a dry sense of humor like mine, so I was very comfortable with her. There was some “girl power” energy we shared.”
Dr. Mauch found advanced osteoarthritis in both knees. After a discussion of treatment options, because of her severe pain and failure with non-operative measures, a shared decision to proceed with total knee replacements was made. Her right knee was completed in April, and then the left three months later. “I felt so much relief immediately after the first surgery,” said Mason-LaCross. “It was instantly better, so I was very eager to have the other knee done. I will rave about Dr. Mauch all day long. She told me exactly what she was going to do, and she did it. The surgeries have changed my life.”
Mason-LaCross worked with Rob Gallagher, D.P.T., at MyMichigan for physical therapy both times. “I absolutely loved working with Rob,” she stated. “We quickly established goals and worked together to meet them. I won’t say that it was easy, but having someone like Rob offer expertise, encouragement and support makes such a difference.” Mason-LaCross stressed the importance of following directions from a therapist and doing the exercises as recommended. “If you want the best recovery, do what they tell you to do,” she said.
Mason-LaCross is feeling great about where she is in the healing process and is grateful for the MyMichigan team she worked with in Alpena. She reported that the entire staff at the orthopedics office was fantastic. She is able to cook and walk without pain for the first time in more than 10 years. “I love it that I’m no longer wobbling. I wished I had done it 15 years ago,” she said. “My advice to others: don’t wait. I missed out on things I could have been doing if I had been pain-free. If you’re living with knee pain, don’t hesitate to consult a surgeon; I couldn’t have asked for better results from mine.”
Those who would like more information on Dr. Mauch may visit www.mymichigan.org/mauch. Those seeking information about MyMichigan’s comprehensive musculoskeletal care services may visit www.mymichigan.org/msk.
