“It gave me my life back. Who wants to walk around in pain? Before the surgery, I couldn’t stand for more than three or four minutes because of the pain in my knees. Now I can walk without pain. … I knew the surgery would be good, given the backgrounds of Dr. McGrath and Dr. Phillips, but the physical therapy afterward was also outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about my physical therapy with UBMD Ortho.”
A lifelong Buffalonian and die-hard Bills fan, Anthony Wiertel enjoys living Buffalo life to its fullest with his wife, two children and three grandchildren. Now 65 years old, he just recently retired from Hilbert College, where he served as the Assistant Vice President for Business/Finance for 42 years. His hobbies include volunteer work, enjoying lots of sports and reading about history, and he considers himself an amateur historian, specifically in the area of World War II.
Having dealt with escalating knee problems and pain over the years, Wiertel finally made the decision to have a bilateral knee replacement, which was performed by Brian E. McGrath, MD, and Matthew J. Phillips, MD, in September 2020.
Here, Wiertel shares his experience throughout his treatment and healing journey, talks about the care he received from Dr. McGrath, Dr. Phillips and the physical therapy team, and offers advice for people dealing with similar knee issues:
How/when did your knee injury occur?
It was a progressive process. I used to participate in sports in high school, like baseball and basketball. It was just an overuse of the knees over the years. The cartilage began to dissipate. I had three surgeries related to my knees prior to my bilateral knee replacement. Dr. Philip Stegemann did three meniscus repairs on me — one on my left knee and two on my right. The left was done in 1997 and the right was done in 2001 and 2002. I was able to get 15 years out of the surgeries he performed.
What made you seek UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine for treatment?
I had a friend who had his knees done by Dr. Rachala several years prior to mine, and he gave him the thumbs up. I also did some research. My wife being a nurse practitioner, she knew a PA who had worked on Dr. McGrath’s staff, and gave rave reviews of him and Dr. Phillips. They were like the A-Team as far as I was concerned.
What was the diagnosis and recommended treatment?
I first saw Dr. McGrath in 2017. He did the x-ray and said, “you’re done; at some point you will need to get this done, so whenever you are ready.” I kept procrastinating and doing various injections, which were moot. Nothing really helped.
Then, nature forced its hand. We were on vacation in Arizona in 2020. I was getting up from dinner, and just standing up from the chair, I tore my ACL. That is when I threw up the white flag. I was done. I saw Dr. McGrath when I got back in March of 2020, when COVID just started. All of what were considered “unnecessary surgeries” were postponed. I had to wait until September 2020.
What I found really helpful was not only was Dr. McGrath performing the surgery, but also his associate Dr. Phillips. I got a buy-one-get-one — two marvelous surgeons, one on each knee. To me, that was when I knew I had to do it. I knew I wouldn’t get a better opportunity.
Could you share how you built trust with Dr. McGrath and Dr. Phillips, and describe the care you received?
The trust was knowing their reputation. They were the A-Team. I think everybody at UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is terrific, and my wife having a colleague who gave a vote of confidence that “this guy is the best” made me feel comfortable as someone who hadn’t done this before. Dr. Phillips also did some work on my brother-in-law who had some orthopaedic issues with his elbow. He told me he was comfortable with Dr. Phillips. So, for me, going with them was a no brainer. It’s hard to pass up an opportunity where you have two great surgeons.
The bilateral knee replacement procedure was well done. I was in and out in 90 minutes. I remember waking up in recovery, and I couldn’t believe it was over so quickly. They were quite good about the procedure and very congenial. The care I received at Buffalo General Medical Center was great.
What was the best part of your experience with UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine?
I knew the surgery would be good, given the backgrounds of Dr. McGrath and Dr. Phillips, but the physical therapy afterward was also outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about my physical therapy with UBMD Ortho. I worked with a gentleman named Ryan Reed, PTA, who was magnificent every step of the way. Having a bilateral knee replacement, you have to work with two knees at once. Ryan knew how to help and coach me. He never gave me more than I could handle, and is just a great guy. The whole crew there was outstanding at the old Harlem Rd. location [now 716 Health].
How has your surgery changed your life?
It gave me my life back. Who wants to walk around in pain? Before the surgery, I couldn’t stand for more than three or four minutes because of the pain in my knees. Now I can walk without pain. I’m grateful to Dr. McGrath and Dr. Phillips for restoring my life to what it once was years ago.
When I was stuck with my bad knees, I would come home from work and sit around. I couldn’t do anything. I wasn’t doing manual labor; I was doing a desk job, but still. I was being excluded from a lot of fun activities with family and friends. We often take that for granted. Once you’re given that ability back, it’s like a whole new lease on life. I am back to walking and exercising. I am back to living a normal life.
What are you doing now to actively prevent reoccurring injury?
I am not overusing my knees. I do the basics. I still do some moderate exercising, riding the stationary bike. I like to walk, and it’s great to do so without pain. That’s the greatest thing from this whole experience.
What advice do you have for those dealing with a similar knee injury?
Don’t put off seeking treatment. I should have listened to my wife years ago about getting the surgery, prior to when I actually had it done. It’s very doable. I had bilateral done, and for me, I found you’re better off going through the procedure once. If you can do both knees at the same time, go for it. Don’t be afraid. The pain was not bad. I took my pain medication as recommended, and made sure to ice and elevate. You just have to follow the rules. Do what they tell you, and you will be ok. Doing your exercises from physical therapy at home in between visits is critical.