Are You Limping Through Life?

“When I fell out of that tree, it was the very beginning of my knee problems.”

When he was a child growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Royal T. Langford, a chiropractor of 32 years, had a tree-climbing experience that would affect his life for many years to come. “When I fell out of that tree, it was the very beginning of my knee problems,” he says. “My knee continually got worse as I played football and was a runner. Then last year the pain and limping became too much, and I knew it was time to finally do something about it. I had tried everything – physical therapy, chiropractic care, weight training – but I was still treating my patients standing on one leg.”

Dr. Langford saw an advertisement for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ronald S. LaButti of Central States Orthopedic Specialists, and decided to take a look at his website. “What attracted me the most was that Dr. LaButti used the Stryker Surgical Navigation System – I wanted the very best technology available.” Dr. Langford made an appointment with Dr. LaButti in February of this year and learned that his right knee had reached bone-on-bone stage; he needed a total knee replacement. “I told Dr. LaButti, ‘I want my life back.’ A painful knee affects your entire life and body – you can’t walk through an airport or stand very long, you gain weight, and you’re damaging your heart and lungs.”     

Because he had patients to take care of, Dr. Langford scheduled the surgery for July. “I had four months to mentally prepare myself and take care of business so that I could completely focus on healing.”     

After Dr. Langford’s total knee replacement this summer, rehabilitation was the next step. “Once I was able to begin rehab, my muscles started getting stronger. It can be frustrating, but you have to do what’s necessary to get your life back.” Dr. Langford utilized a walker, crutches and finally a cane during his recovery. “It was a slow process for me because of my age and because I limped for so long, which distorted my body. I’m thankful my wonderful wife, Lois, helped me through it all.”

The most important piece of advice Dr. Langford has for prospective knee replacement candidates: Don’t wait! “I really messed up my body by limping so long – it affected my back, legs, feet – I was structurally hurting myself.”

Now, less than a year after his initial visit with Dr. LaButti, Dr. Langford lives without pain or limping, and he works out regularly at the gym. By October, he had logged 450 miles on his new knee. “My goal is to walk a total of 500 miles by the end of the year,” he says.

Perhaps his favorite perk, Dr. Langford is also able to enjoy working on his 1947 Mercury. “This is the car World War II vets bought when they returned home. And it’s the same car I had in high school. I didn’t think I could ever get back to doing it, but I plan on entering a few car shows soon.”

Dr. Langford was able to return to work two months after the operation. Eventually, he had no difficulty standing on his right knee while treating his patients at Langford Chiropractic Clinic, 2401 S. Elm in Broken Arrow. Dr. Langford opened his practice on Elm in 1976, “when the town had only 10,000 people and was occupied by cattle.”

“People told me, ‘Nobody has ever made it on Elm’ – but I’ve made it,” he says with a smile.

To learn more about total knee replacement surgery with Dr. Ronald S. LaButti of Central States Orthopedic Specialists, go online to www.hipandkneedoc.com. He is fellowship trained in total joint replacement and reconstruction.

For more information, contact

Dr. Ronald S. LaButti
Central States Orthopedic Specialists

6585 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 200

Tulsa, OK 74136

(918) 481-2767

www.hipandkneedoc.com