[starflyte1]

Suddenly, I need a total knee replacement. I have known that the time would come, but, all of a sudden it is here.

Dr. Duke and Dr. Nguyen would be good, but too busy-too long to wait for surgery. Dr. Cowin is out of town the month of September.

Of course, I want one of the best, but there must be other doctors in the area that are excellent. Are all knee surgeries scheduled up to six months out? I would like to have it sooner as I am not comfortable at all.

There was a doctor at the West Marion Hospital that was suggested, but I have lost his name. He works on the Orthopedic floor that I believe is run by his office.

Thank you for any suggestions. I know that some people say they would never get health advice on a web site, but TOTV is a great place full of good information.

[DDoug]

Try Dr. Messieh he just did my hip and he is doing my friends knee in two weeks. 3522436899 Good doc and is very good

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by starflyte1

....there must be other doctors in the area that are excellent....

I don't think that that is such a good assumption to make in such a rural area.

[Ithreeputtoo]

Dr. Duke did my wife's knee replacement and a very good friend as well. I would not go anywhere else to have it done in my opinion.

[Chi-Town]

The reason that those doctors are so busy tells you that they are the cream of a limited crop.

[villages07]

Dr Kerina of TriCounty Orthopedic is also top notch... he has done both of my knees with excellent results and does 300+ per year.



He and Duke are the two best local docs for Knees.



I am surprised to hear of 6 month wait...that seems extreme.



On my last knee, now 2+ years, once Kerina determined it needed replacing, he was able to schedule it about 5 weeks out. There are tests and clearances you need ahead of time.



Good luck.... getting a good doc is worth the wait.

[starflyte1]

Thank you all for the replies. They will be of get help scheduling this knee surgery.

[rn1tv]

As An RN, BSN, if I needed ortho surgery, I would only select Tri-County with Drs. Kerina, Mitchell, Tankson, Williams, and Cooke. This group is the best!

[billethkid]

Just don't expect Karina to ever be on time for an appointment and be prepared to not see him in the hospital after the surgery!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Ithreeputtoo

Dr. Duke did my wife's knee replacement and a very good friend as well. I would not go anywhere else to have it done in my opinion.

Dr. Duke did my knee in March of this year. I'm very pleased. I had to wait a few months, but not six.

Go Gators!

[villages07]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Just don't expect Karina to ever be on time for an appointment and be prepared to not see him in the hospital after the surgery!

In my case, he stopped by 2 of the 3 days I was there in the hospital.

He can run late on his appts...always have a good book with me.

[stenteach]

Question your doctor on being active in order to avoid blood clots after surgery.


All the best, Stenteach

[Radioman41]

Dr. Duke did mine April 1 this year. I had an excellent outcome and am almost back to normal. I was walking without any aid after a week. It took me about two months to get set up for surgery. He is on top of his game. Good luck!!

[784caroline]

Radioman

Did Dr Duke (himself...not the PA) even see you after the operation???

That is one of the biggest issues with Dr Duke.

Glad it all went well for you!!

[nancymenn]

I may not be qualified to give an answer here. But I also have to get a knee replacement, and I am scheduled with Dr. Duke in early September. My first call to his office was mid-July, saw his assistant in 48 hours, saw Dr. Duke 6 days after my call, surgery was set up & could have been done before Labor Day but I opted to wait until after LD. Not sure how it all went so fast (maybe cancellations, maybe less people around now), but it has happened fast for me. I would have waited, however, since everyone who has used him would accept no less. Good luck! If you call his office, you might be surprised!