From an interview with
Dr. Rodney Alan
McLeod Orthopaedics – Manning

Donnie Mahoney knows firsthand how important the function and mobility of your knees are to complete common, everyday tasks. The joint that connects the bones of the upper and lower leg is needed for any form of movement, including walking, driving, climbing or lifting objects. For Donnie, however, chronic arthritis began to severely impact his ability to move freely. 

Here is Donnie’s story:

“I was in chronic pain for years and tried both oral medications and knee injections,” Donnie recalls. Unable to find relief, he made an appointment with McLeod Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Rodney Alan, who specializes in total knee replacements and has been managing Donnie’s arthritis for nearly five years. “During my appointment, I finally committed to doing the surgery.”

Donnie first underwent traditional total knee replacement surgery in June 2022 for his left knee. Then, in October 2022, Donnie was part of history at his hometown hospital. McLeod Health Clarendon had invested in a robot to provide robotic-assisted knee replacement in Manning. Donnie was one of the first patients to undergo this procedure.

For the first two weeks after surgery, a physical therapist from McLeod Home Health provided physical therapy treatments at Donnie’s home. Once he became more mobile, he continued therapy at McLeod Rehabilitation Clarendon for eight weeks.

“The robotic approach offers sophisticated technology that allows the surgeon to customize the knee replacement to the individual anatomy of the patient. As a result, patients experience more natural movement and function as they begin to return to normal activities,” explains Dr. Alan.

Six weeks after surgery, Donnie returned to work in the Engineering Department at McLeod Health Clarendon. Only when his knee no longer bothered him did Donnie realize how much arthritis had impacted his life.

“No one wants to go through surgery, but I tell people the sooner you do, the better, because the pain will only get worse,” says Donnie. “Having the surgery allows you to move past the pain and enjoy life again.”

You may be a candidate for a knee replacement if you have the following symptoms: knee pain that keeps you awake at night, knee pain that sidelines you from activities, and knee pain that limits daily functions, such as climbing stairs. If your conservative treatment of chronic knee pain is no longer working, then it may be time to consider a knee replacement.

To learn more, speak with an orthopedic specialist near you.