Knee Replacement Ends Pain, Restores Active Life

Troy has his life back thanks to orthopedic surgery at Bryan Medical Center

As he hurried through the Denver Airport to catch a flight back to Lincoln, Troy Stonacek realized that something was missing. Pain. For the first time in years, his knee did not hurt

After years of dealing with a painful and less than stable knee, Troy had total knee replacement surgery at Bryan Medical Center – and now he asks himself why he waited so long.

Untreated athletic injury impacts future health

The knee had been a problem since he injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) playing football at Pierce High School in Northeastern Nebraska. It had ruined his dream of walking on as a Husker, but after surgery that repaired his MCL, Troy went on to play nose guard at Kearney State College where he was named an NAIA All American in 1985.

Over the years, Troy’s knee pain increased making it difficult to travel, work in the yard or participate in recreational activities, like riding his Harley.

“Troy’s knee represents what happens to athletes and other people who leave knee injuries untreated,” explains Lincoln Orthopedic Center surgeon Douglas Tewes, MD. “When cartilage is damaged at a young age, it frequently continues to break down as we age and leads to arthritis. Knee replacement is an opportunity to improve the function of the knee again, hopefully for 20-30 years.”

Strong connection and trust lead to knee replacement surgery at Bryan

“There was no doubt where I would go for the surgery as we have a strong connection with Bryan,” Troy says. “I trusted Dr. Tewes to perform the surgery and he certainly met my expectations. The new knee actually feels more solid than my other knee.”

Now, for the first time since college, Troy feels the freedom to use his knee as it was meant to be – playing golf, working in the yard, keeping up with his active family – and taking his Harley out on the open road, cranking up the music and riding for miles and miles and miles.