Over twelve years ago, I underwent a partial knee replacement at Twin Cities Orthopedics. Following the surgery, I regained the ability to engage in various physical activities, including golf, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball. The surgery had a profound impact on my life. In 2025, my other knee was causing significant limitations on my daily activities. Without knee replacement surgery, I encountered difficulties with stairs and even lifting my leg to get into a car. The doctor who had done my partial knee had retired and after finding online resources and friends, I went to Dr. Bircher for a consultation. During the consultation, Dr. Bircher provided me with a comprehensive diagnosis and recommended surgery. However, he refrained from pressuring me into a quick procedure. Instead, he offered me a detailed treatment plan and recovery timeline, assuring me that he would address the issue when I was ready.
I had the surgery in mid-November. Two and a half weeks later, I am walking without crutches or a walker, and most importantly without pain medication. Both the procedure and recovery process have undergone significant advancements since my partial knee replacement years ago. Dr. Bircher used robotics during the surgery to ensure the utmost precision. As someone with experience in aerospace manufacturing, the use of robotics made sense. Additionally, he recommended acquiring a pedaling machine for in-home recovery, which could potentially reduce my recovery time by up to 30%. While I do not recall specific details about my partial knee replacement, I can confidently say that it took over a month before I could pedal a stationary bike. With Dr. Bircher’s guidance, I began pedaling on my first day home. Dr. Bircher and his team are exceptional. If you are experiencing knee issues, I strongly recommend seeking treatment from his team.
In January, I completed my physical therapy and have begun returning to my normal activities. This mainly consists of playing weekly open gym volleyball and virtual reality pickleball at home. I have been playing long sessions in these sports with no issues. In addition to these incredible accomplishments, I spent five days last week in New Orleans where walking was always on uneven, broken, and sloped cobblestone sidewalks. When I say incredible accomplishments, that is not because I never thought I would play volleyball and pickleball again, but because I never thought I would be able to do this level of activity so soon!
I do notice that standing for long periods of time, such as cooking, can cause my leg to feel a bit stiff. As soon as I start moving everything loosens back up after a few steps. Even when I was walking more than usual, the knee itself never hurt. I am still rebuilding the muscle tone for navigating stairs, especially when carrying any excess weight, but that is improving as well. Dr. Bircher and his team are exceptional. If you are experiencing knee issues, I strongly recommend seeking treatment from his team. Thank you to Dr. Bircher and his team who have helped me get a new lease on life.