Karate is one of Natalie Feibish’s favorite activities. Three years ago, while testing for her blue belt, a kick to her right knee resulted in cartilage damage. The pain prevented the Columbia resident from participating in karate, running and bicycling.
She sought treatment at the MU Health Care’s Mizzou BioJoint® Center, where physicians and scientists have refined surgical and non-surgical technologies that help protect and restore tendons, ligaments, cartilage, menisci and bone to improve joint function. Rather than artificial approaches, BioJoint treatments are natural solutions that have the potential to restore joint health and function for eligible patients.
James Stannard, MD, medical director of the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, performed surgery on Feibish in September 2016. After a year-long recuperation period that included six months of physical therapy, which ensured the grafts had time to heal, she resumed her martial arts training and earned her red belt. When her leg still had loss of strength, she returned to physical therapy for 1½ months of blood flow restriction therapy, which brought her back to full strength.
“Dr. Stannard was wonderful,” Feibish said. “He never exaggerated what was possible or promised anything he couldn’t guarantee, was very forthright about possible issues and listened to me carefully. He was supportive of my trying other therapies before we started this. When I chose to get my BioJoint procedure, I knew what to expect all the way through. I am very happy with my experience.”
