Patient Perspective: Out with the Old, In with the New!

Mr PZ – Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Replacements, 21/02/22

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A tough reality

I was pretty devastated the day my GP looked at my X-rays and told me both my knees were shot and would need replacing. At some level, I wasn’t completely surprised—walking, or even just standing, had been getting more difficult for years.

Finding the right path

Determined to figure out my next steps, I did some research and quickly came across Dr. John Gallagher. A few weeks later, I found myself sitting in his office. He struck me as a nice bloke with a good sense of humour and, more importantly, someone who really knew his stuff.

Dr. Gallagher explained that, in my case, knee replacement was the only viable option. He reassured me that it was a well-established procedure with high success rates and excellent patient satisfaction. What stood out was how much time he spent with me—talking through the process, showing videos of patients whose lives had been changed by the surgery, and making sure I understood what to expect.

Despite all that, I left his office and put up with the pain for another year. It was a mistake. My quality of life dropped to about 2/10, and the pain affected everything I did.

Taking the leap

Eventually, enough was enough. I booked another appointment with Dr. Gallagher, and once again, his meticulous professionalism stood out. He patiently walked me through the surgery, explaining the approach he and his team take to ensure the best possible outcomes. That’s when I knew I had to act.

Both my knees were replaced on a Monday morning. By Friday, I was home, walking around with just one crutch. I took six weeks off work and followed the physiotherapy instructions to the letter for three months. I figured if Dr. Gallagher and his team had put that much effort into ensuring a successful outcome, I owed it to them—and myself—to do the same.

Back on my feet

Six months after surgery, my wife and I travelled to Europe. We walked 8 to 10 kilometres a day through Rome, Milan, and other beautiful cities. We hiked mountain trails in the Dolomites and explored the rugged Cinque Terre coastline.

It took time to adjust to the fact that my knees no longer hurt or held me back. Suddenly, I could do things I hadn’t done in years.

Life beyond knee pain

My “new” knees just had their third birthday, and it’s hard to imagine life before them. I no longer dread walking or climbing stairs, and they’ve made a huge difference to my everyday enjoyment.

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