A team effort gets Jan back to fitness faster following knee surgery

[Allina Health Newsroom, December 18, 2024] Jan Johnson found joy in fitness, including as an exercise class instructor, until a step to the right ended with a “pop.” 

“It's just a whole new journey that I wasn't expecting,” Jan said about her injury that eventually led to knee surgery at Allina Health. 

“When I met Jan, the meniscal tear she had was on top of arthritis,” said Mark Heller, MD, a surgeon with Allina Health Orthopedics. 

Dr. Heller and Jan agreed to start with conservative treatment, including cortisone injections to reduce her pain. When they stopped working, Jan decided it was time for surgery.  

“I heard Dr. Heller in the back of my head,” Jan explained. “He said, ‘You’ll tell me when you’re ready.’” 

Jan had her left knee replaced at United Hospital in St. Paul and went home to recover the same day of the surgery. 

“The people there, they work so hard,” Jan said. “I just felt so supported, so safe, every step of the way.” 

A few days after surgery, with things going well, Jan started physical therapy. 

“That’s instilled in you — physical therapy,” Jan said. “I’d think, ‘OK, I need to do this.’” 

“The big thing is communication.” Dr. Heller said about working with Jan, her nurse navigator and physical therapist.  

“That all adds to the success of it,” Dr. Heller said. “People get better much, much quicker than they used to.” 

Watch the video to meet Jan, Dr. Heller and her physical therapist, Thomas Gilchrist.  

Posted on December 18, 2024 in Orthopedics, United Hospital