No Signs of Slowing Down: An Active Family Man Stays Focused After Knee Surgery

(Editor’s note: This content is provided by DePuy Synthes, a Next Avenue sponsor.)

Gonzalo Urquiza never let age get in the way of his love for sports or his active lifestyle.

As his weeks were filled with a variety of sports, playing with grandchildren and working on his family’s dairy farm, being in pain simply wasn’t an option.

“I played golf on Saturdays, swam nearly every day. I used to play a lot of soccer with my siblings and for a soccer league in Mexico,” Urquiza said. “It was quite an important amateur league – we were good footballers. I kept playing after a certain age – 33, 35 years old. I probably should’ve retired.”

Working with his hands was in his blood. Every sport he loved was built into his routine. His devotion to this level of activity eventually led to a serious knee injury that would change the trajectory of his life.

Urquiza tore his meniscus in both knees, leading to the removal of his left meniscus. Eventually, Urquiza simply wasn’t able to enjoy the sports he loved to play.

“I quit tennis probably eight years ago. That was the first hint that my life, at least my sports life, was changing,” he said. “And it hurt a little, having to quit it, because I loved playing tennis.”

Many other moments of pain prompted Urquiza to consider surgery and what his next step would be to get back to an active lifestyle.

“I knew since the day I had my meniscus operation that my knees were injured,” Urquiza said.  “About eight years ago, my son was studying in Europe and I went to visit. I was walking in the airport about to board the plane and I was in excruciating pain. It was during critical times like these that I knew if I dealt with this pain forever, I was going to be really limited.”

Urquiza and his surgeon discussed treatment options and decided that undergoing replacement surgery with the ATTUNE (R) Knee was the right option for him. Urquiza has never looked back.

“I knew I would be in good hands,” Urquiza said. “I knew the time was right, so I took advantage of it.”

Urquiza was highly motivated after surgery to do the physical therapy that was prescribed to him because he wanted to get back to his level of physical activity. He found a specialist nearby and for the first several days after surgery he went to a physical therapy center and did exercises on his own as well. By the first weekly check-in with his doctor, he was able to make it to the office without a walker. Within 10 days, life at home began to feel normal.

“Really, I had no recovery issues,” Urquiza said.

He has seen activities he loves – golf, family vacations and driving on the racetrack nearby – re-enter his life. But most importantly, his ATTUNE Knee has brought him pain relief.

“I've been able to travel now. Recently I went to Ixtapa, in a residential area where you go downhill to the houses that are next to the sea, a steep descent. I couldn't do it before and now I could do it without any problem,” he said.

For Urquiza, receiving his ATTUNE Knee meant more opportunities to live a life he loves. More productive days on the farm, making memories with family and staying as active as he can.

It’s important to remember that the performance of knee replacements depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have these surgeries. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine if knee replacement is necessary based on an individual patient's condition.

For more information and to hear more stories from people who have received the ATTUNE Knee System, visit www.ATTUNEKnee.com.

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