For more than three decades, avid cyclist Tawny McClellan’s knees powered her through countless miles on trails and the open road. The outdoorsy 68-year-old Olathe resident was a runner before hopping on the bike and knew that eventually her knees would surrender to strenuous physical activity.
“I started experiencing knee pain a couple of years ago,” McClellan says, “and it was a matter of time before the wear and tear caused an injury.”
Pedaling one lovely spring morning from Olathe to Prairie Village in May 2017, McClellan’s knee signaled: her borrowed time was up. “The right knee went out and I could barely stand or walk or ride my bike,” she says.
For the next several months she tried performing regular daily activities—minus the bike riding—while doing her best to ignore her knee’s increasing pain level.
During a trip to Atlanta to visit grandchildren, McClellan had repeated episodes of the right knee locking and swelling and upon her return to Kansas City decided it was time to see an orthopedic surgeon. She underwent surgery with Daniel Farrell, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, part of HCA Midwest Health. McClellan was the first patient to undergo the innovative MAKO robotic-arm surgery for a total knee replacement with the cutting edge robotic system.
“This is a new chapter in orthopedics,” Dr. Farrell says. “There’s nothing like it, and to be able to help a patient like Tawny who is so active get back to her love of cycling is remarkable.”
McClellan reports that she’s never felt so strong and that her knee’s primary purpose “to support me is back. I didn’t realize how much I was compensating for my damaged knee until after surgery.” She went through physical therapy, including inpatient, home rehab and outpatient, after surgery. “I can’t express how excited I am—it feels like Christmas with my new knee.”
Daniel Farrell, M.D is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery and first surgeon in Johnson County to use the innovative MAKO robotic-arm surgery for a total knee replacement.
For more information on orthopedic services visit: https://hcamidwest.com/service/bone-joint-care
