Restoring Mobility Through Knee Replacement Surgery in Redwood

For Kim Malecek of Morgan, Minnesota, walking up to 10 miles a day was once part of her daily routine. Over time, ongoing knee issues made even short distances difficult. Today, after a total knee replacement at CentraCare - Redwood, Kim is back to walking multiple times a day and is grateful to receive care close to home.

When Pain Began to Limit Daily Life

Kim's knee challenges began several years ago with a torn meniscus. After surgery to repair the tear, Kim's knee pain worsened over time. She tried conservative treatments, including cortisone injections, but continued to experience daily pain.

"It was well past time for a knee replacement," Kim said. "My quality of life just wasn't what it used to be."

Before surgery, Kim's mobility declined significantly.

"I went from walking 10 miles a day to barely being able to walk a block," she shared.

Choosing Care Close to Home

Kim chose CentraCare - Redwood for her orthopedic care because of familiarity, trust and convenience. She already had an established relationship with Dr. Scott Allen of Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic (OFC). Dr. Allen is one of three orthopedic specialists who see patients at CentraCare - Redwood twice a week.

For patients like Kim needing knee, or hip, replacements, the process begins with a consultation appointment in the clinic. From her first consultation, Kim felt supported and confident in her care.

"It was awesome," she said. "At my consultation, Dr. Allen said, ‘Let's get it done.' He's very straightforward and explains things in a way that's easy to understand."

And choosing to have her surgery done at CentraCare - Redwood just made sense to Kim.

"I didn't even realize knee replacement surgery could be done in Redwood at first," Kim said. "Once I knew it was available here, it was an easy decision."

And receiving care close to home was especially important following surgery. Kim could complete her follow-up visits at the clinic and rehab appointments with limited travel.

A Positive Surgical Experience

On the day of surgery, Kim felt prepared and at ease.

"I trusted the doctor and the team," she said. "They explained the process, how long it would take and what to expect. That made a big difference."

Kim had the first surgery of the day and stayed one night in the hospital. She was up and walking with a walker later that afternoon.

"The staff was very friendly and professional," she said. "The nurses were attentive and always checked on my pain level. They made sure I understood everything before I went home."

Both Dr. Allen and Kim's primary care provider, Dr. David Danielson, visited her after surgery. Kim appreciated the coordinated approach to her care and the clear discharge instructions she received.

"They explained rest, ice and what to do at home so I felt prepared," she said.

Rehabilitation That Supported Recovery

Kim completed all her physical therapy at CentraCare - Redwood and describes the experience as positive and encouraging.

"Every therapist I worked with was great," Kim said. "They were wonderful. We laughed, and they really helped me stay motivated."

Kim also noticed strong communication between her therapy team and Dr. Allen.

"If I had questions, they made sure they got answers," she said. "There was great communication, and that gave me confidence."

Her rehabilitation lasted about 12 weeks, starting at three sessions per week and gradually tapering down.

Steady Progress and Lasting Results

Kim began noticing improvement quickly. She stopped using her walker after about five days, used a cane briefly and was walking independently within three weeks.

"Learning to walk and do stairs again took some time," she said. "But now I can walk six blocks or more multiple times a day. The pain I had before surgery is gone."

Now several months post-surgery, Kim continues to listen to her body, using ice and rest as needed, especially with weather changes.

"I'm really happy with the outcome," she said.

Encouragement for Others

For those considering knee replacement surgery, Kim encourages them to explore local options.

"The convenience of having a consultation, surgery and recovery close to home makes a big difference," she said. "Orthopedic care has expanded at CentraCare - Redwood, and I've had coworkers decide to have their surgery here after hearing about my experience."

For Kim, choosing CentraCare - Redwood and Dr. Scott Allen meant regaining mobility, independence and confidence, one step at a time.