While SwimRVA offers a wide range of aquatic programming, its land classes have also become home to many inspiring members. Barbara, a dedicated participant in SwimRVA’s line dancing classes, is one of them. Before undergoing a life changing surgery with OrthoVirginia, she quite literally danced through life despite significant pain caused by serious knee issues. 

Barbara’s knee issues have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, as she was born with tissue that was never connected. However, this condition was not diagnosed until much later in Barbara’s life. “People just assumed I was a clumsy child”, she explained. “I could never run. I tried, but I couldn’t. In school, we would have to do a test where we would run around the playground. Everybody was always up in the front, while I was in the back. I could never get there.”

It wasn’t until college that Barbara discovered the extent of her knee issues. “All I did was step off the curb and my knee blossomed up like a balloon”, she recalled. “The school nurse told me that they needed to send me to an orthopedic doctor. What they found was that my kneecaps come out of place.” After some physical therapy, the decision was made that Barbara would have her first surgery to put her kneecap back in place. “I asked the surgeon, ‘what did I do wrong, or what could I do differently?’ and he said ‘nothing. This is just your life now, so be prepared’”. 

In the years that followed that conversation, Barbara had three repairs to her right knee and two repairs on the left. She was told that eventually, she would need knee replacements. That day came in 2012 after she was involved in a major car accident. Her surgeon was shocked by what he found after operating on her right knee. “He said, ‘I don’t know how you were walking. From above your knee to below your knee, everything was 100% destroyed’. I didn’t even have much of a kneecap. They had to rebuild the kneecap, everything.”

After several years had passed, it was time for the left knee to be replaced. Since Barbara’s doctor had moved to sports medicine and no longer did replacements, she was referred to OrthoVirginia’s Dr. Glenn Kerr who specializes in hip and knee replacements. 

After initial imaging, Dr. Kerr sat down with Barbara with some concerns. “He showed me the pictures and said, ‘Do you see your knee?’ I said, I see it.”, Barbara casually explained, “He goes, ‘you’re not grasping the picture, do you see your knee? It’s deteriorated.’ I said yeah, welcome to my life.”

Once getting past the surprise of Barbara’s attitude in relation to the severity of her knee, Dr. Kerr was ready to set a date for surgery. The two agreed on June 30th- a date specifically set by Barbara so that she could attend her high school reunion on the 28th. “We’re having a birthday blast for those turning 65 this past year.” Barbara explained. “I told my doctor that we dance, we do everything and I am not having surgery until after my party. He told me alright, and to have fun and be careful.”

Leading up to the reunion, Barbara had also been working with SwimRVA Wellness Instructor Pauline on her dance moves, both retaining what she learned in her line dance classes and picking up a few tips and tricks from Pauline herself. When the day of the reunion arrived, many of Barbara’s classmates were shocked that she needed surgery based on how she was presenting. “People were watching me and they went, ‘what do you mean you need surgery? You’re nuts.’ I said, look at it this way. If I blow my knee out tonight, no big deal, I’m having surgery anyway.”

The highlight of the night was Soul Train-style dancing. “Everybody was doing the simple little side to side thing” Barbara explained. “Well, I started doing turns and twists and kicks. Back in high school I was very shy and quiet, so they were all surprised”. The ultimate surprise of the night came when they announced that they would be giving out prizes for the dancing. “They named a third place winner, they named a second place winner, and I was thinking, I wonder which one of my classmates is going to get first place?”. To Barbara’s surprise, they announced her name as the winner, speaking to her determination and positive attitude despite the major knee issues she was experiencing. 

Two days later Barbara arrived for her surgery with OrthoVirginia, making sure to fill Dr. Kerr in on her reunion adventure. Although Barbara’s kneecap was extensively damaged, the surgery went well and she woke up with no pain. At each follow-up visit, Dr. Kerr was amazed by her progress. “I have never seen anybody come back like you” he told her. “From what I saw on those x rays and the CAT scans, I don’t know how you were even walking. Somehow, you were able to bend your knee, get around, and just live your life”.

Despite Barbara’s can-do attitude, there were some things that prior to the surgery she physically could not do. “For the first time in my life, I could ride an exercise bike. I’ve never been able to do that, because my leg would not go under. I can also get up off the floor on my own, and walk steps the right way for the first time in years”. 

Barbara’s determination was key in her recovery, as she took her physical therapy very seriously and did all her at-home exercises. “Now, I am back to dancing.” she said with a smile. “I’m moving side to side and kicking much better and I don’t feel like I’m going to lose my balance as easily. With both knees fully working, I can do a lot more.”

As part of her recovery, Barbara was required to take a six week fall prevention course. The class focused on learning to get up off the floor without holding on to something just in case there’s nobody to help you up and you are not near a phone. Barbara not only passed the class, but was asked to do a demonstration for other participants to show them the capabilities of someone who had two major knee surgeries.

Barbara also stressed the importance of movement, and how the surgery has enabled her to pursue a healthy lifestyle more comfortably. “You’ve got to move. These people who sit in a chair all day and watch tv- it’s the worst thing you can do. There’s a time to sit and rest, but there’s a time to get up and go, and you’ve got to move and live your life. Movement is the best thing ever”.