Patient stories

Everyone is different. Your knee is unique, and your knee pain is unique. But one thing we all have in common is the desire to be healthy and to keep moving. Read the stories collected here. You may be surprised at how knee replacement got these people back on the move. Take the first step towards creating your own story, find a doctor in your area today.


Cindy Goodfellow headshot knee replacement patient testimonial
Knee replacement

Cindy Goodfellow

Barbara Cotoia headshot knee replacement patient testimonial
Knee replacement

Barbara Cotoia

Robert Malitz headshot hip replacement patient testimonial
Mako Total Knee

Robert Malitz

Find out why your knee hurts.

Important information

Knee Replacements

Total knee replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.

Knee replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the knee, or excessive body weight.

As with any surgery, knee replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.

Implant related risks which may lead to a revision include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), and reaction to particle debris. Knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same postoperative activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and varies with each individual. Your doctor will counsel you about how to best maintain your activities in order to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. Such strategies include not engaging in high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if the joint replacement is right for you.

Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mako, Mobile Bearing Hip, Stryker, Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.


JR-GSNPS-WEB-573832

Please upgrade your internet browser.

Our website was designed for a range of browsers. However, if you would like to use many of our latest and greatest features, please upgrade to a modern, fully supported browser.

Find the latest versions of modern supported browsers »

Note: If you are browsing in Internet Explorer 9 or later, and you are still seeing this message, you may be in Compatability Mode. Look for the Compability View icon in your Address bar, or the Compatability View and Compatability View settings from the Tools Menu in your Internet Explorer toolbar (hit the ALT key if your menu bar is hidden). If you are on an Intranet, you may need to contact your IT Support about Compatability View settings and whitelists.