A knee replacement surgery changed Laurie Swenson’s life.
It began with a common winter mishap in November of 2022. Laurie Swensen was walking outside her home when she tripped, her left leg coming down hard on the ice. “It felt like I literally shredded my shin.”
After the initial fall, Laurie continued to go about her life. But by November of 2023, the pain had escalated to being a part of her every day. “I couldn’t straighten my knee any longer,” Laurie explains. “I had to keep it bent to walk, so then I’m off balance. It bothered me to carry stuff, to walk out to the chickens, to do any kind of work.”
First came an appointment with her provider, then one with our orthopedics team. Laurie had a Baker’s cyst forming in her left knee, along with arthritis. The cyst could be drained, and Dr. Sam Linford recommended a robotic knee replacement to restore full function.
After consulting with our team, Laurie agreed. “Dr. Linford went over what the robot does,” says Laurie. “It was well explained and I knew what to expect. Everybody along the way was very helpful.”
In May of this year, Dr. Linford performed the robotic knee replacement. Three days later, Laurie was ready to begin physical therapy. Several months later she ’s back to her normal activities and even went hiking this summer.
There was one milestone that was a particular relief: “The biggest thing I was looking forward to was sleeping through the night without waking up because of the pain. I think I reached that just before the three-month mark, and it was such a nice, refreshing sleep.”
Laurie has also completed her physical therapy sessions and has regained her full range of motion. “I’m grateful for how smoothly this went,” says Laurie. “It was easier than I thought it was going to be, and I can hardly see my scar. The team that helped me has been amazing.”
To schedule an appointment with Mountain West Orthopedics, call us at 307-885-5870.
