Jiffy Knee surgery offers faster recovery with less pain

A surgeon in western Pennsylvania is offering an alternative to traditional knee replacement called the Jiffy Knee, which doctors say can offer a faster recovery with less pain because it doesn’t involve an incision to the quadriceps.Dr. Derrick Fluhme, one of only 75 doctors nationwide performing this procedure, introduced Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 to some of his patients who recently had the surgery.”It’s very impressive to see people that are two weeks out from surgery walking around,” Fluhme said. “This is not supposed to happen.”Betty Craig, 77, of Wolfdale, described her experience as life-changing.”It was unbelievable,” she said. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t go up and down steps.”Two weeks after having the surgery, Craig displayed her range of motion.”She looks like somebody that is three months out from surgery,” Fluhme said.Craig added, “Now I can do anything I want.”John Fritz, a former minor-league baseball player, shared a similar story.”I’ve been dealing with pain for about four years,” Fritz said.Arthritis from years of wear and tear on his knees had significantly impacted his life.”My wife and I like to go for walks. I’d walk a mile and limp the whole way back, and have to keep my knee elevated for two days just so I could walk normal again,” Fritz said.After surgery, he said, “I’m amazed at the flexibility that I have, and able to walk without a cane or a walker after two weeks.”Fluhme, who has performed traditional knee replacements for 21 years, now offers the Jiffy Knee surgery at Advanced Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in Washington.”This has revolutionized my practice and the lives of all of those that will come in the future to have knee replacement surgery. I wish I had learned this sooner,” he said.Michael Zimbicki, 67, of Oakdale, described the difference between his traditional knee replacement 10 months ago and the Jiffy Knee surgery 12 days prior as “night and day.””I don’t have no pain like I did last time,” Zimbicki said.Stephen Ivcic had the surgery just a day and a half ago.”To see Stephen here 36 hours from having a total knee replacement, to be sitting here, hardly taking any pain medication, able to walk around, bending his leg to 100 degrees, that’s fantastic. He’s six weeks ahead of where he’s supposed to be,” Fluhme said. “That’s the key, so we’re shaving weeks if not months off your rehab time.”Fluhme said a total knee replacement is still a great operation for restoring function and reducing discomfort, but it requires more recovery time due to the incision in the quadriceps. This is why some patients are traveling from out of state to undergo the Jiffy Knee procedure, allowing them to return to work and life sooner with less rehab, pain and medication for recovery.

WASHINGTON, Pa. —

A surgeon in western Pennsylvania is offering an alternative to traditional knee replacement called the Jiffy Knee, which doctors say can offer a faster recovery with less pain because it doesn’t involve an incision to the quadriceps.

Dr. Derrick Fluhme, one of only 75 doctors nationwide performing this procedure, introduced Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 to some of his patients who recently had the surgery.

“It’s very impressive to see people that are two weeks out from surgery walking around,” Fluhme said. “This is not supposed to happen.”

Betty Craig, 77, of Wolfdale, described her experience as life-changing.

“It was unbelievable,” she said. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t go up and down steps.”

Two weeks after having the surgery, Craig displayed her range of motion.

“She looks like somebody that is three months out from surgery,” Fluhme said.

Craig added, “Now I can do anything I want.”

John Fritz, a former minor-league baseball player, shared a similar story.

“I’ve been dealing with pain for about four years,” Fritz said.

Arthritis from years of wear and tear on his knees had significantly impacted his life.

“My wife and I like to go for walks. I’d walk a mile and limp the whole way back, and have to keep my knee elevated for two days just so I could walk normal again,” Fritz said.

After surgery, he said, “I’m amazed at the flexibility that I have, and able to walk without a cane or a walker after two weeks.”

Fluhme, who has performed traditional knee replacements for 21 years, now offers the Jiffy Knee surgery at Advanced Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in Washington.

“This has revolutionized my practice and the lives of all of those that will come in the future to have knee replacement surgery. I wish I had learned this sooner,” he said.

Michael Zimbicki, 67, of Oakdale, described the difference between his traditional knee replacement 10 months ago and the Jiffy Knee surgery 12 days prior as “night and day.”

“I don’t have no pain like I did last time,” Zimbicki said.

Stephen Ivcic had the surgery just a day and a half ago.

“To see Stephen here 36 hours from having a total knee replacement, to be sitting here, hardly taking any pain medication, able to walk around, bending his leg to 100 degrees, that’s fantastic. He’s six weeks ahead of where he’s supposed to be,” Fluhme said. “That’s the key, so we’re shaving weeks if not months off your rehab time.”

Fluhme said a total knee replacement is still a great operation for restoring function and reducing discomfort, but it requires more recovery time due to the incision in the quadriceps. This is why some patients are traveling from out of state to undergo the Jiffy Knee procedure, allowing them to return to work and life sooner with less rehab, pain and medication for recovery.