By Heidi Smith, Contributor
For more than five years, Ed Rycraft had to use a walker to get around. Hunched over and unable to bend his knees, he was in constant pain. When he and his daughter, Debbie Blank, moved to Venice, Blank had had enough.
“I couldn’t stand to see him in so much pain,” she said. “As soon as we had a primary care doctor in Venice, I asked about getting help for Dad’s knees.”
That’s how Rycraft and Blank met orthopedic surgeon Tracy Ng, D.O., of ShorePoint Medical Group in Venice. Dr. Ng is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy – a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. She also performs robotically assisted surgery for knee and hip replacements as a member of the medical staff at ShorePoint Health Venice. Additionally, she is the Atlanta Braves Spring Training orthopedic surgeon in North Port and the team physician for the North Port High School Bobcats.
“When Mr. Rycraft first walked into my office, he was hunched over on his walker and I could tell that every step was painful,” Dr. Ng said. “For many years he had experienced knee pain that had worsened in the past three years. Pain interrupted his sleep every night. Any activity caused pain.”
X-rays showed that Rycraft’s knees were bone-on-bone, meaning there was no cartilage to cushion the joint. There were loose bodies of bone in the joint, as well as spurs growing on the bone. Although he was about to turn 85 at the time, Dr. Ng considered him an excellent candidate for knee replacement surgery.
“Mr. Rycraft had no medical conditions that would prevent him from having surgery, and he was highly motivated to be pain-free and do the work of physical therapy after surgery,” Dr. Ng said. “His daughter’s support and encouragement also contributed to the decision to offer knee replacement.”
In August 2021, Dr. Ng performed robotically assisted knee replacement surgery on Rycraft’s left knee. A CT scan of the knee is loaded into a computer, then uploaded to the robot. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robot and uses the scan to align the replacement knee perfectly.
To close the incision, the surgeon uses bioabsorbable sutures, instead of staples. A waterproof dressing allows the patient to shower right away.
“Recent advances in technology allow for greater precision, faster healing, and a less noticeable scar from the incision,” Dr. Ng explained. “I’m so pleased to be able to offer this surgical option, even to patients of advanced years, and see them regain a more active lifestyle.”
Rycraft spent the night after surgery at ShorePoint Health Venice and went home the next day. His recovery was so rapid, he was able to have the right knee replaced just two months after the left.
“I couldn’t believe the day he came home from the hospital after the second knee surgery!” Blank exclaimed. “He was lying in bed and had both knees completely bent. He hadn’t bent his legs in years. It was such a good thing to see. He stands up straight now, instead of hunching over. He told me he feels taller!”
Rycraft rides his bike three miles every day and takes daily walks to rebuild the strength in his legs. Father and daughter have high praise for Dr. Ng (whom they call “Dr. Tracy”), for her team, and for the hospital staff who cared for Rycraft during his overnight stay.
“Dr. Tracy has the best personality,” Blank said. “She’s a classy lady who really knows her business. I give her name to everybody. I would recommend Dr. Tracy and the hospital in a heartbeat.”
ShorePoint
Medical Group
VeniceOrthoCare.com
(941) 841-0442