Randi Jenney and Debbie Plaxen are best friends who also happen to be sisters. They do everything together, including having total knee replacement surgery.
Keep reading to learn more about their joint success, their experience at AdventHealth and how they journeyed toward whole-person health — together.
The Beginning of Their Journey
Jenney met AdventHealth Waterman Orthopedic Surgeon, Samir Guru, DO, after she began experiencing left knee pain. “I work in a field where I see many clients a day. When I was having knee issues, I would ask people if they knew a good physician in the area and 90 percent of the time, I heard Dr. Guru’s name,” states Jenney.
After a successful surgery, Jenney returned to Dr. Guru two years later when her right knee began bothering her. He told her the right knee would need the same procedure.
Meanwhile, Jenney’s sister, Debbie Plaxen, who lives in South Florida, was experiencing her own pain and also needed a total knee replacement. Jenney told her sister about Dr. Guru. “It was coincidental that I had just found out I needed my knee replacement, and I knew Randi did her research,” said Plaxen. “I did more of my own research, and I said ‘absolutely.’”
In It Together
The knee pain the sisters experienced affected their normally active lifestyles. Jenney explains, “The impact on me was the same as for my sister. I had issues walking and going to the gym. I couldn’t get on the treadmill for long periods of time without pain and inflammation.”
During a follow-up appointment with Dr. Guru, Jenney told him about her sister’s situation. “Would you mind doing the surgery for my sister and me. She lives in South Florida, but I was wondering if we can schedule it at the same time, day and hour with you.” Dr. Guru’s response was to “make it happen.”
After two successful total knee replacement surgeries, the sisters even arranged to go through the recovery process together.
“Recovering with your sister is a lot of fun. We did physical therapy together three times a day for the first three weeks. The first time we did something, it was fun, and we just cheered each other on,” says Plaxen. “The recovery process compared to my first knee surgery was a lot more joyful,” said Jenney. “I mean, we would dance. We have videos of us dancing, a week after surgery.”
Both ladies are so thankful to be back doing everything they love, including playing tennis, pickleball and going to the gym.
Your Partner in Whole-Person Health
Find out how we can help you return to the things you love most through our whole-person approach to joint care at AdventHealth.
Learn more about our partnership with USTA National Campus as part of our ongoing commitment to providing whole-person care.
