Restoring quality of life through expert revision surgery

At 75, Sharon Whitcomb is experiencing life with renewed optimism and energy, thanks to the expert orthopedic care she received from Dr. Joseph Assini at AdventHealth Medical Group Colorado Joint Replacement at Porter.

After enduring years of pain and restricted mobility, Sharon made the decision to undergo total knee replacement surgery in November 2021. She was hopeful the surgery would greatly reduce her pain, but unfortunately, the outcome was disappointing. “I knew straightaway something wasn’t right. It hurt all the time, and it never felt good,” Sharon recalls. Despite her concerns, she was advised to give it time, but relief never came. She endured persistent discomfort and frustration as her knee simply would not recover as expected.

The challenges didn’t end with her knee. In 2023, Sharon underwent back surgery—another major procedure that brought its own hurdles and significant pain. For years, Sharon’s quality of life was limited by this discomfort in both her knee and her back. Doctors told her repeatedly that little more could be done, but she knew deep down that something was wrong.

Everything changed when she met with Dr. Joseph Assini at AdventHealth Porter. During her very first visit, Dr. Assini provided the insight and reassurance Sharon had been seeking. He quickly diagnosed the root of her problem: the previous knee implant was misaligned -resulting in significant pain and affecting her gait and balance.

Sharon explains that Dr. Assini’s diagnosis was incredibly reassuring: “Dr. Assini said to me, ‘I can fix this’ when so many others had told me they couldn’t. I was in disbelief.” Having been told for years that her issue was untreatable, Sharon was initially hesitant to go forward, but Dr. Assini and his professional and friendly staff made the decision easier.

In 2024, Sharon decided to proceed with revision surgery under Dr. Assini’s care. The results were almost immediate. Even before the effects of her pain medication had faded, Sharon knew something was different—her knee finally felt better. The need for painkillers quickly diminished. She found herself walking in a straight line for the first time in years and navigating stairs without assistance—a huge milestone.

The most unexpected and gratifying outcome of Sharon’s surgery: her back pain vanished. By correcting the misalignment in Sharon’s knee, Dr. Assini had also taken the pressure off her back, restoring her comfort.

Today Sharon is once again on the move. She looks forward to doing more travelling, more gardening, more exercising, and essentially living her life to its fullest. Reflecting on her experience, Sharon recalls: “I was at the point where I was in so much pain, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I am so thankful to Dr. Assini and his team for helping me reclaim my mobility and joy.”