A Story of Longevity and A Thank you To Dr. Noyes
I made my first visit to the Noyes Knee Institute way back around 1990 or so. I must have been 13 or 14 years old at the time. I was prone to chronic knee dislocations on both knees. I would have two or three dislocations per year on each knee. I was too young for the surgery at the time, but Dr. Noyes eventually performed my first MPFL Reconstruction on my left knee back around 2003 or so. I finally came back in 2018 for my right knee. I was 40 years old at the time of the second surgery and I recall he was hesitant to do it because of my age. We considered an early knee replacement but ultimately decided on the MPFL Reconstruction.
I am just writing to thank Dr. Noyes, Donna, and the entire team at the Noyes Knee Institute for the amazing job you do! This past year I was able to go on a 10 day hunting trip in the Yukon Territory in Northern Canada. I made my way deep into the Territory by sea plane where we rendezvoused with a guide and a wrangler. We rode horses for several miles into a beautiful canyon and made camp with our tents and sleeping bags. We saw grizzly bears, wild bison, and caribou just to name some of the incredible wildlife there. The first day of our hunt we hiked 12 miles and climbed the equivalent of150 flights of stairs over some of the most unstable and rocky terrain you’ve ever seen. We did this day after day for a week until I finally harvested a giant Dall Sheep that we named “Titan.” Hunters are weird like that but naming game is kind of a thing.
This was the trip of a lifetime, and I only write to tell you that you all made it possible. I am so grateful to have made the connection with you because you have literally changed my life. Please share this with whoever you see fit and please tell Dr. Noyes that I am forever indebted to him for vastly changing the quality of my life.
Keep up the great work!!!
ACL Surgery Can't Stop This Marine
For this patient, the last couple of years were a little extra challenging and not just because of COVID. She had an ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair done by Dr. Noyes at the end of 2019 and spent a good part of 1-1.5 years rehabbing with Dr. Noyes's amazing rehab team: Marie, Tim, and Matt. Any athlete who has made their way back from an ACL tear knows it's no easy hill to climb... especially when your "return to sport" is the United States Marine Corps. She was cleared for basic training earlier this year and is now graduated and moving on to the next level.
"I finished infantry training and I graduate tomorrow morning then head home for 10 days. The last thing we did was a 20k hike on gravel in the dark with about a 100 lb pack, a rifle, and in my case a mortar weapon system. Not only did I make it through obstacle courses, runs, and body sparring, but I was surprised how well my knee held up on the hikes. [I'm] thankful for the therapy and surgeries you and Dr. Noyes provided. Minus a couple flare ups, I had virtually no knee issues and I was extremely impressed and surprised. It held up so well in fact that I’m now one of 3 women who are currently mortarmen in the entire marine corps. Thank you!"
What an amazing accomplishment! We thank YOU for your service and can't wait to see your many accomplishments to come!
State Champ after ACL surgery
For this patient, ACL surgery could not have come at a worse time. "COVID happened and knocked me out of my junior year, so not only did I miss sophomore because of my knee, but I also missed junior year, 2 WHOLE years. My senior year rolled around and I must say it went very well, all thanks to you [her physical therapist, Matt Gingras] and Dr. Noyes. I won my Region in cross country and went on to place 8th in state." She also went on to win state in the 800 meter run in Track & Field.
She will attend Morehead State University in the fall and will run varsity cross country and track for the D1 school. She also plans to major in exercise science and become a physical therapist.
"A big thanks to you and Dr. Noyes. You all are the reason I was able to come back from my injury and have so much success. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to, but you never gave up on me and I’m thankful beyond measures. I hope you are happy and healthy, God Bless and thank you again."
Lacrosse Player with Patellar Subluxation
This patient's mom searched far and wide to find a doctor who could help with her son’s multiple patellar subluxations. Several doctors had already told him to just do what he could and keep playing. After extensive online research, she found the Noyes Knee Institute and decided to make the 8 hour drive from Lititz, PA to see Dr. Frank Noyes. Two months later with a 4-day stay in Cincinnati, He went through MPFL reconstruction surgery and initial therapy with the NKI team. Dr. Noyes and his staff worked with his therapist at home to get him back on his feet. One year later, he is back to playing high school lacrosse and went on to win the All Star 2nd Team Award for Face-Off Specialist!
“We cannot say enough about our experience with your team and how grateful [my son] is to have a normal knee now and be an athlete again! Thank you for everything! I am so glad we found Cincinnati Sports Medicine.”
