I
was referred to Dr. Vasiu by my family doctor when I started to experience
knee pain. After an MRI it was found that I had lost cartilage in my
right knee. At first, Dr. Vasiu had me try an unloading knee brace and
lubricating
injections in my knee for arthritis. This provided relief for about a year
and a half
and was repeated once. This allowed me to continue participating in
activities
including the La Carrera Pan-American road race in Mexico covering 2,000
miles in a 1958 Volvo.
Eventually, the pain became constant and conservative treatments weren't
working. Dr. Vasiu talked with me about various forms of partial and total
knee
replacements and it was determined I was a candidate for a partial
replacement. Everything was explained regarding what to expect before,
during and after the
surgery. I was pleased that the procedure could be performed outpatient and
I
would not have to spend the night in the hospital.
On September 14, 2009 I went in for surgery. It went very well. My wife,
Mary, drove me home and within minutes of arriving a nurse and a physical
therapist were waiting to help me into the house. They helped me set up a
CPM
machine which kept bending my knee while I was in bed. I had very little
discomfort. I used a walker to walk around for the first couple of days,
then by day
three I was using a cane. After one week I no longer needed a cane.
After being out of a physical job for five weeks, I was given the ok to go
back to work with no restrictions. I no longer have knee pain even though I
work
for American Seating Co in their model shop building prototypes and am on my
feet all day. I am very pleased with the result and would recommend the
procedure
to others. I was very happy to be able to recover in the comfort of my own
home. I
am back working and racing without complaints.
Sincerely
George
Sullivan
Testimonials
Dr Peter Vasiu
2591 44th Street S.E.
Kentwood, MI 49512
Dear Dr. Vasiu
April 14, 2009
I would like to take this
opportunity to express not only my sincere gratitude to you for your
skill as a surgeon, but also for your dedication to developing
innovative and effective techniques for performing needed surgical
procedures.
After injuring my right
shoulder, I was referred to your office by Dr. Nasir Khan, my family
physician, for an evaluation of this injury. This is the second time Dr.
Khan has referred me to your office. You performed a
rotator cuff repair of the shoulder which involved repair of a tear in
the tendon and the removal of a lot of arthritis.( July 2004 )That surgery was
accomplished using what I suspect was the traditional procedure at the
time ( open rotator cuff repair ). The surgery was successful and
although I experienced a lot of discomfort ( that's Dr. talk
for excruciating pain for several weeks and a lot of therapy ) the
result was very good. I have since returned to my normal activities and
hobbies including riding a motorcycle to Alaska, the Blue Ridge
Mountains, and the length of the Mississippi River. I have had no
problems with that shoulder since.
I was less than
enthusiastic about the prospects of going through another shoulder
surgery but when you indicated that you were going to use a different
technique to perform the needed repairs, I was a little less
apprehensive, I had no idea how pleased I would be with this new type of
surgery ( ALL ARTHROSCOPIC ) rotator cuff repair.
Although as you have since
indicated the condition of the shoulder was much worse than one might
have expected, the resulting post operative pain and inconvenience has
been minimal. There was little pain involved for the first 48 hours
thanks to the pain pump that I was sent home with and by simply keeping
the surgical area cooled with ice cold compresses. For the first 48
hours there was very minimal swelling. It was not necessary to take
anything stronger than Advil for discomfort after the fourth day. Within
ten days I was able to return to sleeping in my bed instead of a chair
and I was able to sleep for five or six hours at a time after ten days.
It is now three weeks since surgery and I find that I am probably
feeling too good since the prospect of spending another three weeks in a
sling has me a little on edge. I will do my best to resist the
temptation and will take it easy for three more weeks.
Thank you again for your
efforts to learn and develop new skills, procedures and techniques to
improve the post operative recovery experience of your patients.
Sincerely
Bill Towers
Testimonial
