I was 18 years old when I hiper extended my knee doing gymnastics. At the time, surgery for torn ligaments and cartilage was to remove the cartilage and sew up the ligaments. The rehab wasn’t much better; it was to simply sit in a chair and use my good foot to pull back on the ankle of my bad knee until I had enough flexion to function. One Lenox Hill Derotation brace later and I was on my way.

I lead a very active lifestyle, teaching gymnastics, cheerleading and color guard, so 19 years later my knee was so bad I couldn’t walk on it. My leg was no longer straight — it bent sideways and would swing out and around when I walked. I was 37 and although everyone knew I needed joint replacement surgery, it was the only arena I was still considered too young in.

When Dr. Reilly examined my knees her confirmed what I already knew: Not only did I need a joint replacement on my left knee, but I had compensated for the bad knee for so many years that the ACL on my right knee would have to be surgically repaired before the left knee could be replaced. I had surgery on that knee in early August and went through a strenuous rehab program for 12 weeks before the knee replacement could be done.

I had the joint surgery on a Tuesday, and left the hospital Friday night. Two months later, with a rehab program five days a week, I was Country Line Dancing with friends, and three months later I was water skiing (don’t tell my doctor). The surgery was the best thing I could have done. I had been in constant pain on and off crutches, unable to run or on some days even walk the distance from my car to the house. Now I teach an after school and summer camp sports program, my leg is straight, and I’m pain free.