New knees rejuvenate brothers

Dr. Dennis Brown, medical director of The Joint Center at Good Samaritan Hospital, stands with Tom, Steve and Dan Knapke, who have all had total knee replacements. Contributed photo

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By Lynn Minneman, Staff Writer Updated 5:28 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Oh what a difference a new knee makes.

At least that is the circumstance for three of the five Knapke brothers, Tom, 62, Steve, 60 and Dan, 49.

Karen (Knapke) Laycock of Tipp City e-mailed to share a story about three of her brothers who have all had total knee replacement surgeries and now have a “new lease on life,” so to speak.

“There are several things these three brothers have in common — they all have had total knee joint replacement and they are all living an active, pain free life, one year later,” she said.

The Knapkes’ orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dennis Brown of Montgomery Orthopedic Surgeons, 9000 N. Main St., is the medical director of The Joint Center at Good Samaritan Hospital. Laycock said he is truly the one to thank.

Tom Knapke lives in Englewood and is the eldest brother and a retired owner and barber of the Plaza Barbers of Englewood. Laycock said for 38 years Tom has spent, what she described as, “countless hours on his feet” along with her other brother, Dan, cutting hair. Dan is also from Englewood and the Plaza Barbers.

“Their constant standing had added to earlier injuries on their knees that occurred while playing high school sports,” said Laycock.

“Tom says having the knee replacement has allowed him to do things with the grandchildren and rest of his family, like camping, boating and just taking that nice walk, and that is the good news.”

Laycock said the “bad news,” (according to Tom) is that he will have to come up with a new excuse for the “extra strokes” in his golf game.

Laycock said all six siblings grew up on a farm, which defines her second eldest brother Steve Knapke’s occupation as an organic dairy farmer in Sharpsburg, Ohio.

“He is also quite accustomed to the very long days on his feet,” said Laycock.

“Steve also had been plagued with knee injuries in high school basketball, and then added climbing silos and all of the other physically demanding tasks farming brings on to the problem — so, Steve was also in need of a knee replacement.”

Laycock said, oddly enough, the youngest of the brothers was the first to have his knee replaced and her two brothers in the middle, Ken and Dave, and herself, have escaped knee replacement surgery altogether.

“At 48, Dan could no longer golf, push-mow the grass, go on walks, or play with his kids in outdoor sports.”

Now according to Laycock, one year later, Dan is walking five miles a day, golfing with his sons, riding a bike and enjoying moving with his family.

Laycock said after three of her brothers had this same surgery, she inquired and learned from Brown there is a hereditary link.

Laycock said their mother also had a knee and hip replacement in her younger years (due to osteoarthritis) and that there are several causes for joint failure (i.e., traumatic injuries, overworking of the joint, excessive weight, and in the Knapke brother’s cases — arthritis).

“With arthritis, the joint’s cartilage lining wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other, resulting in swelling, friction, stiffness, instability, sometimes deformity, and (as her brothers’ experienced) crippling pain,” said Laycock.

When Laycock recently asked the three to name a significant difference now compared to before surgery, they all said, “Everything is pain free.”

For more information on this type of surgery, visit www.montortho.net/index.cfm/fuseaction/site.home.cfm.

The longevity of prosthetic joints may be 35-40 years according to Laycock’s information.

“Early intervention is the key according to Dr. Brown and these three are testimonials to what an active life can be — again,” she said.

Contact this columnist at (937) 609-4152 or newscommunity@hotmail.com.

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