Conditions + Treatments
Knee Replacement (Total)
I am originally from Ripley, MS and my wife and I now live in Booneville, MS. I played college football and baseball at the University of North Alabama. During my freshman year of college (1976), I messed up my right knee playing football. I messed up the same knee again in 1977. I “halfway rehabbed it” and decided to continue playing both college football and baseball. In November of '76, I had it fixed but I tore it again in April of '77.
Since I tore up my knee so badly, I decided to only pursue baseball the rest of my college career at North Alabama. I was a pitcher and my knee was ok since I was only throwing, and not having to run on my knee. However, I knew my knee was never right from the previous injuries.
After college, I accepted a coaching job and coached for 40 years, primarily high school football. I retired from coaching in Mississippi in 2011 after our South Panola High School team had just won the USA Today National Championship. After retiring in MS in 2012, I went to St. Paul’s in Mobile, AL where our team made it to the 5A semifinals. I then moved back to Tennessee until I finally retired for good.
After everything I went through playing football and knowing something wasn’t right, I knew I truly needed my knee fixed. Back when I coached, I got shots to make it through the season, but I was always in a lot of pain. When I finally retired from coaching in May of 2020, I knew it was time to have a much-needed knee replacement surgery.
I spoke with my son, Chase, who is a certified athletic trainer. Chase used to work in Birmingham alongside, Kevin Wilk, who is the #1 rehab guy in the country. My son knew all the people at Andrews Sports Medicine and helped advise me on what to do.
Chase recommended that I research surgeons online and find the one that best fits me and my needs. I looked through the Andrews Sports Medicine website and found Dr. David Moore. I had heard about him and noticed he did lots of knee and hip replacements. There is a coach in Booneville that my wife and I know, and he had his knee replaced by Dr. Moore. I asked him how his experience was, and he told me, “You would be crazy if you didn’t go to Andrews Sports Medicine and see Dr. Moore!”
I scheduled my initial appointment with Dr. Moore. My whole experience with him was awesome! From the initial evaluation to the staff, to the day of my surgery, it was all excellent! I knew I needed a total knee replacement since I was bone on bone, and I was in so much pain. I couldn’t believe that I just gritted my teeth for 20 years and put up with it. The pain got so bad that I couldn’t even walk or run. It would swell if I did anything physical.
Dr. Moore performed my knee replacement surgery on July 15, 2020. It was great. All the hospital staff were amazing, and I was able to walk up some stairs about an hour after my surgery! I was discharged from the hospital the same day.
I had home health set up back home in Booneville for about 1 week and I had my own rehab person to help me. He used to play football for me, and he works in Tupelo. I did rehab for 10 weeks, 3 times a week, 2 hours a day. When I did my rehab, I didn’t talk to anyone. I just went in and got it done. I worked really hard to prevent any other pain I may have had.
About 8 weeks after my surgery, I started walking and exercising again. I am now up to walking around 3 miles a day. I have had no problems and no pain at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be where I am today. I can do anything now. I felt like a new person and now I have been helping my son, Chase, with his new offensive coordinator position at East Mississippi Community College.
I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my experience with Dr. Moore and Andrews Sports Medicine. My experience was life changing and I am able to do anything now. I have told tons of people that they would be stupid to go anywhere else! Thank you to Andrews Sports Medicine and Dr. Moore for fixing me and allowing me to go back to enjoying life!
Lastly, for anyone having joint replacement surgery, I offer this advice:
1. Find the right surgeon for you.
2. Commit 100% to rehab. If you don’t 100% commit, your recovery will not be optimum.
