Conditions + Treatments
Knee Injury/Condition
Knee Replacement (Total)
Early Years
I grew up in Syracuse, New York, where winter meant skiing. What started as a childhood hobby quickly became a life-long passion.
After college, I moved to Tahoe City, California for a "gap" year, chasing powder by day and launching my career working in radio by night.
Eventually, a career opportunity brought me to Birmingham, Alabama in 1981 to help launch 95 Rock WAPI-FM as part of the original on-air staff.
I met a Southern Belle, raised a family here, and Birmingham became home. But one thing never changed. I kept heading west to ski.
The Challenge
My knees, however, had other plans. I’ve dealt with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in both knees since childhood, which led to multiple surgeries in early adulthood and, over time, significant osteoarthritis. Eventually, bone-on-bone pain became the norm.
For nearly a decade, Dr. Ricardo Colberg helped me successfully manage my knee pain with injections and medication.
Making the Call
Now, in my early 60's, after another tough ski season, I knew I had reached the point where managing the pain wasn’t enough. I needed a long-term solution, and that included the realization that it was time for a total knee replacement.
Soon after returning from my 2025 ski trip, I had an appointment and candid conversation with Dr. Colberg who referred me to orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Garrett.
During my initial appointment with Dr. Garrett what stood out immediately was how clearly he explained everything, the mechanics of knee replacement, the different implant options, and why he personally recommended the Zimmer Persona implant.
Most people I know who’ve had knee replacements couldn’t tell you what’s in their knee. I could, and that gave me real confidence going into my June 6, 2025 surgery.
Getting Ready & Staying Consistent
I approached surgery the same way I approach skiing, prepared. I stayed active with daily walking, yoga, and strength training at the Hoover YMCA. The results quickly showed.
The day after surgery, I made my first post-op visit to my physical therapist, and I could already bend my knee past 90 degrees. I believe that was a testament to my regimented, "prehab" routine. From there, I fully committed to rehab and stayed consistent with my recovery. That discipline made all the difference.
Hitting the Slopes Post-Surgery
The real test came March, 2026. I returned to Tahoe and skied 18 straight days, logging more than 200,000 vertical feet. Compared to the previous year, when I relied on injections and anti-inflammatories just to get through the trip, the difference was incredible. This time, my new knee simply worked. No limping, no hesitation, no pain, just skiing.
In fact, I could feel the contrast between my replaced right knee and my left, which I will likely address in the future. Dr. Garrett likes to say, “I did 10%, you did 90%.” I appreciate that, but I always tell him if his 10% is not done right, the other 90% does not matter. Thanks to him, along with previous injury treatments from Dr. Cain, Dr. Colberg, and Dr. McKeon, I feel like my skiing future is wide open again.
My Advice From Personal Experience
I know plenty of people who say they “need to get their knee done” but keep putting it off. My advice is simple. Do not wait. With the right surgeon and a real commitment to rehab, you can get back to doing what you love.
For me, that is skiing in Tahoe with friends I have known since high school, and thanks to my knee replacement, I am not just remembering those moments anymore. I am still out there making new ones.
