Within the first week post-surgery, Sedlacek was walking one mile each day. He said, “When you lose the ability to do something as basic as walking and you get it back, it’s wonderful.”
– Dan Sedlacek
Hiking up a glacier. Cheering on the Huskers from their stadium. Waterskiing. Climbing Machu Picchu. These are just a few of the items on Spirit Lake resident Dan Sedlacek’s bucket list. For six years, he had stabbing, bone on bone knee pain. Periodic steroid injections worked well for years, but eventually they didn’t last long. It was increasingly difficult to stand 10 to 12 hours a day as a retail pharmacist. Walking nearly a mile to the stadium to cheer on his beloved Huskers, and then climbing the stands changed his previously enjoyable experience. He said, “It really affected the quality of my life in a negative way.”
When Sedlacek and some friends went fishing in Alaska, an otherwise relaxing vacation was spent in pain, starting with the plane ride there. The most painful part of the trip was during a side trip to hike up a glacier. “It was so much fun but it hurt so badly. On my way back down I told my wife I am not going to do things like that anymore,” he said. “Later that night my friend Tim asked if that was right, that I wasn’t going to do that anymore and I said no, that’s absolutely wrong. I want to do more of it. That was my ‘a-ha’ moment, that I shouldn’t have to give up activities I love.”
Sedlacek made an appointment to see Dr. John Leupold at Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint and Sports Surgeons as soon as he returned to Iowa. Surgery for a partial knee replacement was scheduled and Sedlacek prepared for it by doing physical therapy to strengthen certain muscles that would aid in his recovery process. He said the day of surgery was as pleasant as it could be. “I had attended Lakes Regional Healthcare’s Joint Camp so I knew what to expect, and Dr. Leupold stopped and chatted with me as he walked through the waiting area. I didn’t feel like a stranger in a strange place. Everything was very well organized and professional. I felt like I was in very capable hands,” he said.
Sedlacek was amazed with his results. He walked as soon as he wasn’t groggy from anesthesia, almost immediately after surgery. “Joint pain is gradual and insidious. You learn to tolerate it as the pain increases. After surgery my joint pain was instantly gone. It was so nice. I had pain medication, but didn’t have to use much because of the physical therapy I’d had,” he said. “People don’t realize what’s at Lakes Regional Healthcare. They have great surgeons, the best equipment, the food was good, staff was friendly. I’ve been to Mayo and elsewhere and I’d put this experience up against those any day.”
Within the first week post-surgery, Sedlacek was walking one mile each day. He said, “When you lose the ability to do something as basic as walking and you get it back, it’s wonderful.”
Now Sedlacek is back to achieving his bucket list, and adding to it. He said, “Everyone I know who’s had joint replacement surgery say the same thing – I wished I’d done it years before. I completely agree. Don’t wait!”
Orthopedics
VISIT PROVIDER:
Leupold, John – MD