New knees for videographer
Tim Blanton filming underwater after surgery
(CNS Local Life): An American videographer based in Honduras recently underwent bilateral knee replacement at Health City Cayman Islands (HCCI) and can now walk freely without pain. Tim Blanton’s painful condition led him to consult with orthopedic surgeon Dr Alwin Almeida, and specialist in joint replacement, said an HCCI press release.
Blanton, who had always been very active, regularly filmed underwater videos for National Geographic, but for a few years his ability to dive in the ocean to get his shots was limited by serious arthritis in his knees, which gradually reduced his ability to walk even short distances, HCCI said in the release.
“Six weeks ago, I was barely able to walk, I could not go up or down stairs and I had some major problems with my knees,” said Blanton, who lives with his wife, Barbara, in Roatán, Honduras. Speaking of his surgery, he added, “it’s been an amazing experience beyond my wildest expectations. I saw world-class medical care from some of the finest doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, the medical staff, the administrative staff at Health City, they were outstanding.”
Barbara and Tim Blanton
Knee replacement surgery is necessary when medications and other support no longer can relieve pain from severe arthritis, HCCI said, adding “a prosthesis is then needed to replace the damaged tissue in the joint. The procedure relieves patients’ pain and allows them to resume their normal activities.”
Before having his surgery, Blanton went through the necessary preoperative checkups to determine if his case qualified for the total replacement of both knees.
“His knee joints were giving him considerable pain from arthritis,” Dr Almeida explained. “And he was seeking to find a place where he finally could have the surgery. When I checked his knees they were pretty bad, and he needed a knee replacement in both.”
Blanton’s surgery was performed in two stages, with each knee being operated several days apart, and he was able to return to Honduras two weeks after his second surgery. Six weeks after the knee replacements, Dr Almeida travelled to Roatán for a post-operative checkup to make sure Blanton was recovering well.
He said he was delighted to find that his patient had made a full recovery, and could go up and down stairs, bend over and even walk short and medium distances without using a walker.
“I feel like a new man,” Blanton said.
Category: Medical and Health
