Committed to Caring for Others

By Erin Brown

In the early 1990’s, Marine Veteran Chris Dubose suffered a horrific car accident that required reconstruction of his right knee. Dedicated to caring for others, Chris’ career spanned from serving his country in the military to rescuing people from fires as a First Responder. The impact of his initial knee injury, coupled with years of physically demanding work, left Chris’ knee “bone on bone.”

In July 2018, after experiencing severe pain, Chris consulted with Dr. Pat Denton, a McLeod Orthopedic Surgeon, and learned that he needed a total knee replacement. Chris expressed his need to prolong his surgery date. “I told Dr. Denton that I had to finish deer season before we could do surgery and, thankfully, he allowed it,” said Chris.

In the months leading up to surgery, Chris’ mobility continued to decline. He also recalls that he could no longer walk straight or bear weight on his right leg.

From shoulder surgery to a torn meniscus in his left knee, Chris had been under Dr. Denton’s care previously and knew the quality of his work.

“The bone in Chris’ knee had deteriorated, impacting his mobility, and causing pain up into the hip joint,” explained Dr. Denton. At this point, Chris knew he needed surgery.

Dr. Denton performed a total replacement on Chris’ knee in January 2019 at McLeod Regional Medical Center. A total knee replacement is a procedure to replace the weight-bearing portions of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability.

Immediately following surgery, Chris could feel that his once ailing knee had been completely repaired. “When the nurses assisted me in walking, I refused to use the walker because I already knew that my knee was healed,” said Chris.

Upon discharge from the hospital, Chris participated in physical therapy at McLeod Outpatient Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine to improve the flexibility of his knee.

Eager to return to work and his volunteer role as a First Responder, Chris completed his physical rehabilitation and regained strength in his knee much faster than he or Dr. Denton had expected.

“Chris responded well to physical therapy because he set a goal and committed himself to the exercises prescribed by the Physical Therapist,” said Dr. Denton.

Eleven weeks after surgery, Chris returned to his job at Poly Quest in Darlington, South Carolina with continued commitment to saving lives in Florence County as a member of the Howe Springs Fire Department team.

Chris remains grateful to Dr. Denton and his entire care team at McLeod Health for helping him regain a better quality of life.

“I no longer experience any pain,” added Chris. “I enjoy living my life and participating in things that I once struggled to do.”