CentraState - Healthy Directions

www.centrastate.com Spring 2014 7 Now, the Schioppos of Staten Island all say they wouldn't consider going anywhere but CentraState for orthopedic surgery—despite a drive that can take up to an hour. "I can't tell you how many people who need knee replacements I've told to go there to have their knees done," says Anthony, 56. "I tell anybody and everybody I know to go see them." Anthony did not have the benefit of that advice. For him,finding Dr. Nasar and CentraState was a fortunate occurrence. A BAD BREAK Anthony says his joint problems originated from a terrible motorcycle accident when he was 20 years old. His lower right leg was damaged so badly he had to have more than a dozen surgeries during the following two decades. He walks with a limp and has no feeling in his right foot. He says that when he started experiencing severe right knee pain several years ago, he met with three doctors who were unwilling to do a knee replacement because of the condition of his lower leg. He turned to family members for advice and his mother-in-law, who was living in Lakewood, NJ, at the time, sent him a newspaper article featuring Dr. Nasar. He made an appointment. Dr. Nasar says that because of the accident, the tibia bone in Anthony's lower leg essentially points in two different directions. While the case was unusual, Dr. Nasar says it was not at all beyond what he and his team at CentraState have experienced. "I didn't think his case was particularly troubling, but he definitely had an altered leg anatomy," says Dr. Nasar, who is fellowship-trained in joint replacement surgery. "It wasn't immediately obvious how a knee replacement would fit, but we were able to make the right adjustments." After a successful surgery, Anthony was once again able to walk short distances and go up and down stairs without pain. However, he says that more than 30 years of walking with a limp had taken its toll on his other joints. He subsequently had to have a left hip replacement in October 2009 and left knee replacement in November 2012. CHOOSING JOINT REPLACEMENT Joint replacement is the last option after patients have considered nonsurgical treatments, including physical therapy, pain management and other complimentary therapies. The decision to have joint replacement is ultimately up to the patient. Dorothy, 58, chose to have both knees replaced at once because of relentless pain. "There was constant burning," says the former dispatcher. "I really couldn't walk around that much." For Stephen, 52, an old high school football injury led to his knee gradually wearing down over time. "I work in construction so it was getting difficult to do my job," he says. "I got to the point I couldn't take it anymore." The Schioppos were all in their 50s during their procedures. While Dr. Nasar says their cases are likely due, in part, to bad luck, he is seeing more and more younger people are choosing joint replacement. "No one wants to feel like an 80-year-old when they're in their 50s," he says. "When someone starts losing the ability to do the things they either want to or need to do – be it work or just enjoying their life – that's a serious problem." TOTAL JOINT CENTER OF NEW JERSEY The Total Joint Center team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons, specially trained orthopedic nurses, patient care technicians and physical and occupational therapists. Dieticians, social workers and case managers are available to provide comprehensive care. Patients not only benefit from the latest surgical options, but also from advanced pain management. In some cases, younger and healthier patients can leave the hospital within 24 hours of having a joint replacement procedure. "We are constantly staying at the forefront of joint replacement care here," Dr. Nasar says. "We want to improve upon what can be done and how fast the patient can recover and how good they can feel." Anthony and Dorothy say their procedures have helped them get back to their normal lives, enjoying their two young grandchildren. Stephen was able to start working again within five months. The common experience has also brought them closer together. "My brother really felt like he had a relationship with Dr. Nasar," Stephen says. "When I went to see him for the first time, my brother came with me." "It was big brother taking care of his little brother," he adds, with a laugh. Alan S. Nasar, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon For more information about the Total Joint Center of New Jersey, visit www.centrastate.com/TotalJointCenter or call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). HD "I can't tell you how many people who need knee replacements I've told to go there to have their knees done." —Anthony Schioppo

• Cover