BAPTIST HEALTH Made Me Feel Safe and Welcomed...

After having 6 heart operations at BAPTIST HEALTH - for one of which he flew in from San Francisco - Jimmy Morphis decided, "no other hospital staff can make me feel as safe and welcomed as BAPTIST HEALTH." So when it came time for a total knee replacement, Jimmy told his doctor he wanted to go back to BAPTIST HEALTH. Knowing BAPTIST HEALTH performs more total joint replacements than any other hospital in the state, Jimmy's physician, Dr. David Barnett with OrthoArkansas, was already one step ahead of him. Now, it's Jimmy who's one step ahead.

At 65 years old, he's enjoying all the simple pleasures he loves so much. If you ask Jimmy why he's thankful, he'll tell you with a big, wide-eyed smile, "day to day life is fun again - I can even mow the lawn."

They Didn't Just Fix My Knees, They Kept My Spirit Strong...

At 82 years old, Carnella Weir knows the value of a positive attitude. That's one reason why she couldn't have been happier with the staff at BAPTIST HEALTH during her recent bilateral knee replacement procedure. "They treated me like royalty," says Carnella. From the two night stay to the therapy sessions that followed, Carnella was totally impressed with both the world-class care she received from the state's most experienced orthopedic hospital, and with the specialized attention from her physician, Dr. John Yocum with OrthoArkansas.

To anyone who needs knee replacement, Carnella enthusiastically says, "go for it. There's nothing to it." And after watching Carnella enjoy her farm and move about, it's easy to believe.

Two Total Knees Keeps Patient Active...

Going strong at age 83, Mrs. Evelyn Thompson is no stranger to the field of orthopedic medicine. Her late husband was an orthopedic surgeon in Little Rock, and her son, Dr. Berry Thompson, is an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoArkansas in Little Rock. Mrs. Thompson’s experience with orthopedics, though, goes beyond living with and raising a surgeon. In 1985, her son, accompanied by Dr. Slater, performed simultaneous total knee replacements on both of her knees. Normally the knees would be done one at a time, but the lively Mrs. Thompson explains, “If I have to do something, I want to get it done all at one time. So I did, and I did beautifully.”

Her knee replacements were so successful that it was not until nineteen years later that Mrs. Thompson had any need for further surgery. When her right knee began to wear down, her son recommended she see one of his partners at OrthoArkansas, Dr. Phillip Johnson. Dr. Johnson, assisted by Dr. Thompson, performed a total knee revision on her right knee in April of 2004 at Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock.

“I felt really secure with my son being there. I loved having him do the original knee, and I loved having him in the operating room with me during the second revision.” She adds with a laugh, “I probably enjoyed his being there much more so than he did!”

Mrs. Thompson was in the hospital for a little under a week and in rehab for 6-10 days following her hospital stay. She says of her experience there, “Everyone at Baptist was friendly and so pleasant and accommodating. Even the food was excellent—both in the hospital and in rehab!”

Mrs. Thompson describes the most difficult part of orthopedic recovery…”I dreaded physical therapy back in 1985 because it was so painful. But at Baptist Rehab they treated the pain before I began, and I didn’t dread it at all. I thought they did an excellent job in rehab.”

Today Mrs. Thompson is back to her active lifestyle, driving herself from place to place and staying involved with her church and several clubs.

Describing her overall experience with her second round of major knee surgery, she says with tender assurance, “I was really pleased with Baptist Hospital.”

Mrs. Evelyn Thompson

Patient Returns to Dancing...

Neil Clark, who injured his right knee in a fall that then became arthritic and progressively worsened for 15 years, returned to his love of swing dancing after undergoing a total knee-joint replacement surgery at BAPTIST HEALTH performed by Dr. Herbert Hahn, a surgeon from OrthoArkansas.

"I basically went from using a walker to swing dancing within three weeks," said Clark, who was able to live an active life until last year, which led him to seek help from BAPTIST HEALTH.

"I just got to the point that the pain was unbearable. Even with injections, I couldn't put any weight on my right knee and wasn't able to do the things I love," Clark said, adding that he missed swing dancing most of all.

Clark's recovery was rapid following the surgery. Exactly three weeks later, he attended a swing dance. Within three months, he had recovered completely and was enjoying life - and swing dancing - once again.

"There is no pain or limp at all. I feel great," Clark said, "BAPTIST HEALTH is a top-notch facility. I absolutely would recommend it to anyone."

Neil Clark
Little Rock, AR

Back in the swing of things...

I had a new procedure called a partial knee resurfacing. I had no cartilage on the interior of both knees. It took me a long time to find a doctor who really specializes in this type of surgery and implant. After searching the internet, I finally found a BAPTIST HEALTH Orthopedic Surgeon. I had tried arthritis medications and physical therapy but neither were successful over a period of time. Since receiving my bi-lateral uni-compartmental knees, I have my life back again and there is nothing I cannot do. I was back playing golf 4 weeks after my surgery and I could hardly believe it! I continue to gain more and more flexibility with each day. Thanks to my wonderful orthopedic surgeon and the staff at BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center- Little Rock for the wonderful outcome of my surgery.

Jana Carter
Fort Smith, AR

Seminar brings relief...

I had constant pain and couldn't bend my knee for 6 months. It was very difficult for me to get in and out of a car and to carry out my day to day activities. I went to a Hip/Knee pain seminar that was offered by BAPTIST HEALTH and received lots of information about the causes, treatment, etc. I was referred to a BAPTIST HEALTH orthopedic surgeon and was told that all of my cartilage in my knee had worn out and that I had bone on bone. This is why I was having such severe pain in my knee. My orthopedic surgeon suggested that I have a total knee replacement. It has been 5 months since my surgery and I am hardly having any pain and can bend my knee 97 degrees. I am going to the gym every day to ride the bike and to do my leg presses. I am doing very well and am very grateful to BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center- Little Rock and BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute for the wonderful care they provided.

Melvin Phillips
Little Rock, AR