John Beal knee replacement
When a degenerative right knee caused avid golfer John Beal pain on the course, he knew replacement surgery at Cookeville Regional Medical Center was a hole in one.

“I knew something wasn’t right when I couldn’t even walk up or down hills on the golf course without excruciating pain. I had to walk sideways just to get around; that’s when I knew it was time for surgery,” he said.

A retiree of Cookeville Regional, Beal said Dr. John M. Turnbull, an orthopedic surgeon there, always told him that Beal would know when it was time for surgery – and he was right.

When the moment came, that’s who Beal trusted for the procedure.

“I went in and told him, ‘I can’t live like this anymore. I need a new knee,’ and we scheduled the surgery,” Beal said.

Although knee replacement can be daunting, Beal said he felt confident and prepared. “I wasn’t concerned at all. I knew it was affecting my lifestyle, and I was ready to get back to living without pain,” he said.

Part of what gave him that confidence was a physical therapy class included in Cookeville Regional’s preparation process that teaches patients exercises to do before surgery and sets expectations for recovery.

“It’s not just about the surgery; the physical therapy afterward is crucial. They made sure I was prepared,” he said.

The day of surgery went smoothly, with a staff who was professional and compassionate. “Everyone was prepared because they do this all the time. I had surgery, went to recovery, and was ready to go home within a few hours,” he said. “The staff made sure I was comfortable, which made the whole experience easier.”

The Cookeville Regional staff also got him moving right away, a key to recovery, and Beal began physical therapy the following day, eventually progressing from walker assistance, to cane assistance, and back to pain-free independent mobility.

Within six weeks – ahead of his predicted eight-week recovery time – Beal was back on the golf course.

“Since I retired, I golf four or five times a week. I work outside, and we love to hike when we travel. Before surgery, I couldn’t do any of that without pain, but now I’m back to living my life,” he said.

Having worked at Cookeville Regional for many years, Beal said his reason for choosing them for his knee replacement surgery and care was simple: trust.

“I know the physicians and the staff. There was no reason to go anywhere else. The care at Cookeville Regional is top-notch,” he said.
His advice to others needing surgery? “Don’t hesitate! And don’t be afraid of the surgery; just be prepared to do the physical therapy afterward because it’s as important as the surgery itself.”

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