Testimonials

Condition: Myron tore the ACL in his right knee playing high school basketball in 1955. He continued to play for years after high school wearing a brace and enduring the pain. His left knee began to cause him discomfort in the 1990’s, which he tolerated until he decided to visit his family physician, Dr. Carpenter, in 2005. Dr. Carpenter recommended he come to Reconstructive Orthopaedics to see Dr. Lawley.

Procedure: Dr. Lawley examined Myron’s knees and determined that there was excessive damage to the cartilage in both knees, which would require knee replacements. Myron had surgery on his left knee in 2006. The operation went smoothly and Myron spent a few days in the hospital, then after being released did physical therapy for two to three months until he was fully recovered. He had his right knee done in 2008 with very similar results.

Amazing Comeback: Myron is back playing softball three times a week during the summer, basketball twice a week during the winter, and goes for walks every night. Myron commented, “This is the best thing I have ever done. I am pain-free and feel better than I have in years. I think the world of Dr. Lawley and the staff at Reconstructive. They helped my every step of the way.”

Injury: Duff has a family history of an aggressive form of osteoarthritis which settled in both of his hips. The pain began in his early fifties and by the time he was 55 Duff was using a cane to get around in his home. An avid hiker and angler, Duff found the pain was significantly affecting the quality of his life and decided to pursue treatment. He was aware of Dr. Swank’s minimally invasive hip replacement procedure since Duff’s sister had undergone that surgery with excellent results. He drove up from Lexington and met with Dr. Swank in early 2011. After an in-depth examination, Dr. Swank determined that Duff would need both hips replaced with an excellent prognosis of returning to an active lifestyle.

Procedure: Duff’s right hip was replaced in April, 2011 and his left hip was replaced eleven months later using the special minimally invasive procedure that Dr. Swank has perfected. With each surgery, Duff was able to walk in the hospital that night and was released the following morning. In lieu of formal physical therapy, Duff was instructed to walk at least five minutes each hour over the next few weeks as therapy to build strength and restore mobility.

Results: Duff began to feel a real difference almost immediately and was pain-free in three weeks. He was able to resume his love of hiking and fishing and set a personal goal of climbing the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet. Over the next 18 months Duff began a training regimen of walking up to 9 miles a day and, on alternate days, climbing 50 flights of stairs in order to develop the strength and endurance necessary. In February of 2014, less than two years after his second hip replacement, Duff summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro and watched the sun rise over the plains of Africa. He had fulfilled his dream.

Duff feels very blessed that he was able to work with Dr. Swank and the staff at Reconstructive Orthopaedics. He commented, “I tell people not to just accept their situation, but to be proactive and find out what can be done to help themselves. Dr. Swank, Jon, and Martha were the epitome of team work in restoring my quality of life. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate how they touched my life. I would encourage anyone who is considering hip replacement surgery to learn about Dr. Swank’s minimally invasive hip replacement procedure. Visit Dr. Swank and learn about this wonderful technique which can restore the quality of their life just as it did mine.”

Injury: Steve’s initial injury occurred 14 years ago when he tore the meniscus in his right knee working construction. He had surgery on his right knee in 2012 to remove the meniscus enabling him to continue to work operating mechanical equipment for his family’s business and to play baseball, tournament racquetball and softball. However, his knee was bone-against-bone and even when using multiple braces was painful.

In preparation to attend the Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Camp in Arizona in early 2014, Steve received cortisone shots and chicken lubricant in both knees and was hopeful of participating throughout the week. Steve played two 7-inning games every day and was able to make it through the middle of the seventh game on Wednesday. The Reds training staff helped him finish out the week by working everyday on both knees using atomic bio jell, ice baths, etc. His coach, Ken Griffey Sr., encouraged him to get his knees replaced saying, “Steve, you are too young to deal with pain that will hold you back from doing what you enjoy in life.” That was the impetus Steve needed, he was ready to do something about his knees.
 
After the camp, Steve began consulting with surgeons. His trainer and therapist assistant at Oxford Physical Therapy expressed to Steve how well Dr. Langendefer’s patients recovered, so Steve met with Dr. Langenderfer at Reconstuctive Orthopaedics. After an in-depth consultation with Dr. Langenderfer, Steve decided to have both his knees replaced.

Procedure:Dr. Langenderfer performed a special procedure called Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) in which preoperative imaging is used to manufacture cutting blocks specific to a patient's anatomy that allows increased accuracy and spreads the weight evenly over the knee. In addition, Dr. Langenderfer utilized special plastic inserts containing vitamin E that provide increased wear ability. The benefit of PSI is that the new knees will last about 25-30 years versus the old procedure where replaced knees would hold up for only about 15-20 years.

Steve’s surgery took place on 4/30/14 and he spent two nights in the hospital before coming home. He did rehabilitation at home and was walking without a cane in three weeks. Steve continued to work out at Oxford Physical Therapy to increase his strength and agility.

Results: Steve is now playing baseball and racquetball, runs sprints and jogs without assistance. He recently took his car to the repair shop and walked four miles back to his house. Excited about his restored athletic ability, Steve played in the Reunion Game at Great American Ballpark on August 25, 2014. In September, he took a snorkeling and hiking trip to St. John’s in the Caribbean and had a great time. Steve commented, “I am very happy with Dr. Langenderfer and the staff at Reconstructive. Everyone was very helpful and I would recommend them to anyone.”

Injury: Amy was playing power forward for the Little Miami High School basketball team when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on January 19, 2013. The following Friday she saw Shawn Tubbs, a physical therapist at Reconstructive Orthopaedics, to get an opinion on her knee. Shawn quickly referred Amy to Dr. Kevin Shaw for a more in-depth consultation. After a thorough examination and discussion with Amy, Dr. Shaw determined that he would repair the ACL using a graft from her hamstring.

Procedure: The surgery was performed on February 14, 2013 on an outpatient basis. Amy rested the knee for a week, then the bandages were removed and she was ready to begin therapy. She worked with Shawn Tubbs and an athletic trainer five days a week for six months. She visited Dr. Shaw and was cleared to play basketball September 8, 2013.

Results: Amy has now graduated from Little Miami High School and is playing for Ohio Northern University and is doing great. She was very happy with her outcome explaining, “I received the best care possible. Everyone was always willing to do whatever needed to help me and was super nice and informative. It's a huge relief that my rehab experience was better than I could have ever asked for. My knee is better than new and I can jump higher than ever.”

"I am extremely happy with my total ankle replacement!  After talking with Dr. Gates, I felt so confident.  Before, I had four surgeries with different doctors to try and reconstruct the ankle, and I was in so much pain.  But after Dr. Gates did the surgery, in no time I was on my feet bowling and playing golf.  The Physical Therapy was good, too.  Dr. Gates is definitely a special kind of guy!"

Dr. Larkin is a super nice doctor.  I just love him.  He explained everything to me and my husband, amd made sure we understood everything.  He is a very caring man, and I would recommend him highly to others.

Sarah Bills, APRN is very nice and explains things to you as well.  Stephanie the office manager is very nice and has been helpful to me.  The girls at the desks and the people who take you back to the rooms are very nice also.  This is a great office to go to.

Dear Dr. Jacquemin, you have a gem in Nurse Practitioner Brian Crowley.  He is very respectful, polite, and kind.  He knows spine and back care well.  It was always, "Yes ma'am" and "How may I help you today?"  Brian Crowley is terrific!

Dr. Gates, thank you so much for my appointment this morning.  I cannot tell you how much better I feel.  Jim Lytle, PA, was wonderful and explained everything very well and helped quess a great deal of my anxiety.  His staff was very kind to fit me in on such short notice.  I feel I have a much better understanding of what I need to do to ensure a full recovery.  Having just started my first post-graduate job, I feel so much better managing this injury after my visit to Commonwealth.  Thank you again - I really can't tell you the difference it has made!

Dr. Due, it has been a long and painful journey.  I had pretty much given up on ever having my hand fixed.  Then you were brought into my life and I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn't a train!  Thank you.

Two simple words but for me they're life changing.  Thank you.  For truly seeing me and fixing my hand; I thank you for your skills and compassion.  My heart is overwhelmed with the happiness of a fixed hand.  Thank you, and may God continue to bless you!

I have seen a few doctors here and I like every one of them very much.

I am amazed at how proficient the offices run considering how large your offices are, and how many patients are seen daily.  Your entire staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and ready to assist!

I recently completed rehab for my knee which was scoped.  What a great staff you have!  In particular, Katie and Chelsea were terrific!  From the first time you meet these talented and beautiful young women, you realize their demeanor and care foryou as a patient is genuine and sincere!  I am sure I will be back since I have another knee that will need work.  I will be certain to come back to your center and of course, I must insist on these young ladies as my specialists!

Dr. Metzler, I cannot thank you enough for the fantastic work you did on me.  It is wonderful to finally be pain-free.  I also want to compliment you on the professional way in which you dealt with my wife and me.  You were kind and actually took the time to listen to your patient and thoroughly explain things to my wife and me.  Having you as my doctor was a great experience all around, and I certainly will consider you my doctor for any future orthopaedic needs.  We were both very impressed with you, and we will not hesitate to recommend you to others.

Dr. Heis, Thank you for your outstanding service and repair of my right knee last November.  You are highly recommended by Dr. Hummel and many patients in our area. I am truly grateful for your hard-earned reputation and professional expertise.  I do not take your talents lightly and never for granted.  Thank you!

How do I begin to thank you for everything you have done for me.  You truly are the consummate professional.  I was not sure what to expect as I entered physical therapy after my surgery.  Your guidance, coaching and steady calm personality gave me confidence that I could gain mobility back without "dying" from pain.  You did that!  Your whole team is amazing.  I appreciate all of them who chipped in to help me through all of those sessions.  You are fortunate to have such a great staff! 

Dr. Gates and his staff are the best caregivers I have ever encountered.  I literally can't thank them enough for not just the medical care, but for the absolutely fantastic personal care and empathy.  God bless and keep them.

"Dr. Metzler, just want to drop in and give you a progress report on your expert ankle repair work.  I completed my first 10K!  Thanks again for fixing me right up!  Thanks for being an A+ doctor!  Keep up the good work."

I'd just like to say that Dr. Larkin was my surgeon on my right ACL several years ago.  The knee is still fantastic.  My current ortho here (now lives out of town) has commended the job Dr. Larkin did when I had my knee checked out.  Unfortunately, I have just torn the left ACL and hope to find as good of care out here as I had under Dr. Larkin's supervision.  Thanks again!

As a freshman volleyball player at NKU, Melody Stewart injured her knee twice in one season. Each injury required surgery by Dr. Bilbo. He and his team cared for her from the outset through rehabilitation. She credits his weekly visits and constant communication for her success on the court a year later. "Dr. Bilbo understands that we're athletes. He wants to provide the best course of treatment to get us back to playing, but he wants to make sure that later on it's not going to be detrimental," she says. "He wants what's best in the long term," echoes NKU head athletic trainer Molly Hutson. 

“Everyone there was outstanding. I was always treated with respect, kindness, patience and professionalism. Thank you so much to Dr. Gates and the entire Commonwealth Orthopaedic team for saving my leg.”

“Dr. Grefer, thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I don’t know how many people see the work and caring you give each of your patients. I also want to thank the nursing staff and Teresa in your Workers’ Compensation department. They are kind, knowledgeable and helped me beyond belief.”