{"id":62818,"date":"2025-10-08T11:50:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T18:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=62818"},"modified":"2025-10-09T14:41:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T21:41:17","slug":"exploring-real-recovery-one-patients-joint-replacement-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/exploring-real-recovery-one-patients-joint-replacement-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Real Recovery: One Patient\u2019s Joint Replacement Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Exploring Real Recovery: One Patient\u2019s Joint Replacement Journey<\/h1>\t\t<time>October 8, 2025<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_583a25b75ff43608243dfec75abbd797\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>\u201cMobility is everything for our patients,\u201d said Orthopedic Surgeon <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/ryan-james-1649261991\/\">James Ryan, MD<\/a>, who is also Samaritan\u2019s orthopedics medical director. \u201cTime and time again, we see how total joint replacement helps patients who are struggling with pain regain their independence so they can live life to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, making this commitment is tough. Carl Anderson, 73, of Corvallis weighed his options for both his knee and hip. A retired commercial real estate broker and company manager, he found that joint pain was limiting quality time with his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always lived an active lifestyle and managed to do so despite having bone-on-bone pain for years,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cI knew total joint replacement was an option but was concerned whether this procedure would eliminate my discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Many Questions, Common Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After years of severe pain, he finally took the leap \u2014 first having the procedure on his knee, followed soon after with hip replacement. To help others who may be considering total joint replacement, Anderson now shares the big questions he had and what he learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUntil you have had the procedure, it really is hard to imagine how it can impact your life,\u201d he said. \u201cI will admit, before surgery, I was uncertain and questioned whether it was worth the risk. Now fully recovered, I can say without hesitation that it was life changing. I would make this choice again in a heartbeat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following are Anderson\u2019s questions, answers and helpful tips, in his own words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anderson Offers His Questions, Answers &amp; Helpful Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What will recovery be like?<\/strong> It is, without a doubt, a long road \u2014 but each milestone brings improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Should I be worried about anesthesia? <\/strong>There isn\u2019t a one\u2011size\u2011fits\u2011all answer. Talk to your doctor about concerns or ways to help ease your anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is a support system needed?<\/strong> Absolutely! Caregivers or family members make the journey much smoother. I am fortunate to have a wife who is a stickler for following the rules. Of course, it was in my best interest. If your support system looks different from mine, don\u2019t let this dissuade you. Talk with the care team about options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Will stairs be a challenge?<\/strong> Initially, yes. This got better and easier with therapy and, for me, a whole lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stay ahead of the pain.<\/strong> Follow the doctor\u2019s orders. Don\u2019t wait until pain is unbearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ask questions, then ask some more. <\/strong>The presurgery education and support through Samaritan\u2019s Total Joint Replacement Program are thorough and offer great information. Never shy away from asking more questions. Being informed made me more confident that I made the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Commit to therapy.<\/strong> Physical therapy is non-negotiable and is the key to a successful recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSure, aging might mean slowing down some, but it doesn\u2019t mean giving up the life you love,\u201d he said. \u201cI used to hold back because of the pain, but now I get to enjoy everyday activities. I can go on walks with my wife, keep up with my six energetic grandkids and play golf, even while walking the course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anderson concluded: \u201cI get to play this game of life and enjoy daily activities without any pain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about the Total Joint Replacement Program at Samaritan Health Services, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/health-services\/all-services\/orthopedics\/is-joint-replacement-right-for-you-2\/\">samhealth.org\/JointReplace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/326-H2H-One-Patients-Experience-0625_0014.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"Joint replacement patient Carl Anderson golfing with his grandsons\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/326-H2H-One-Patients-Experience-0625_0014.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/326-H2H-One-Patients-Experience-0625_0014-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/326-H2H-One-Patients-Experience-0625_0014-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/326-H2H-One-Patients-Experience-0625_0092.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta\" alt=\"Joint Replacement patient Carl Anderson looking at x-rays with orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Ryan.\" \/><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"block_daea0155fe1fd00847f86d56dc4d5279\" class=\"shs-block block-section grid-container has-gray-warm-background-color has-circle-image col-reverse\" >\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-lg size-square-lg\" alt=\"Digital composite of Highlighted knee of man about to race\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1.jpg 684w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1-425x425.jpg 425w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-490860632-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px\" \/>\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Shoulders to Ankles, We\u2019ve Got You Covered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From broken bones, aging joints and sports-related spills, Samaritan Health Services offers advanced <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/health-services\/all-services\/orthopedics\/\">orthopedic care<\/a> \u2014 with several locations in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Services range from sports medicine, injury evaluation and X-rays, carpal tunnel surgery, arthroscopic procedures, ACL reconstruction, physical rehabilitation, joint replacement and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Total Joint Replacement Program at <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-albany-general-hospital\/\">Samaritan Albany General Hospital<\/a> is nationally recognized and locally known for hip and knee surgery, providing individualized recovery plans and offering care you can count on \u2014 every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Samaritan&#8217;s experienced orthopedics team understands the power of mobility, which is why they are committed to getting you back to being active.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Follow one patient&#8217;s joint replacement journey and find out what questions he asked to feel prepared and confident about the recovery process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":62821,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[285],"news-types":[270],"services":[254],"specialty":[37],"class_list":["post-62818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-patient-story","news-types-feature-article","services-orthopedics","specialty-orthopedic-surgery"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62818"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=62818"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=62818"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=62818"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=62818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}