Confidence Restored: Janet's Total Knee Replacement Journey with Dr. Nourbash
After years of gradual knee pain and a longstanding relationship with her surgeon, Janet found lasting relief and a smooth recovery through total knee replacement at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.
Janet's knee pain didn't arrive all at once. It crept in slowly, starting around 2021 as a mild discomfort that built gradually over the following years. She didn't let it stop her from living her life, staying active and independent, but she knew the discomfort wasn't going away on its own.
A Gradual Problem and a Trusted Relationship
Long before Janet ever considered surgery, she tried more conservative approaches to manage her knee pain, including injections and physical therapy at regular intervals. Those treatments helped for a time, but by February 2026, it became clear that conservative care alone wasn't going to be enough.
What made Janet's path to treatment unique was the relationship she'd already built with her surgeon. She had known of Dr. Paul Nourbash's strong reputation since working alongside him at ABMC back in the 1980s. When she moved back to Illinois roughly five years ago and started experiencing knee pain, she reconnected with him, and he offered conservative treatment with regular follow-up appointments every six months to monitor her knee's progress.
That years-long professional relationship gave Janet a level of trust that made the eventual decision to move forward with surgery feel less like a leap and more like the next natural step.
Preparing with Confidence
Janet didn't carry the fears that many patients have going into a total knee replacement. Part of that came from watching a friend go through the same procedure with Dr. Nourbash just months earlier, in October 2025, and seeing how positive that experience had been.
'A friend had a total knee replacement by Dr. Nourbash... and her experience with Dr. Nourbash and team made me feel very confident prior to my total knee replacement.'
Janet took her preparation seriously in practical ways, too. As a widow, she arranged for friends to stay with her for the first ten days after surgery and gathered all the recovery equipment she'd need in advance, from a bedside commode to a walker and ice machine.
The BOS team supported that preparation with clear pre-op instructions and a full checklist covering everything from dental clearance to a CAT scan, along with a direct phone number for any questions along the way.
The Day of Surgery
On April 30, 2026, Janet underwent her total knee replacement. Dr. Nourbash met with her in pre-op to walk through the procedure once more, sign her consent, and mark the surgical site, making sure she and her son had the chance to ask any final questions. The care extended to every member of her surgical team, each of whom introduced themselves and explained their role before the procedure began.
'His calm demeanor made me very comfortable as he took me to the OR suite and explained all as we proceeded to the OR table.'
A Moment That Stayed With Her
Amid all the clinical preparation, it was a simple, human gesture that left the deepest impression on Janet. As she lay in the operating room, a nurse took her hand and offered quiet reassurance.
'Jerry RN in OR took my hand, which was on my chest, and held it and it meant to me, 'I am with you and you will be just fine!''
That same care carried into her discharge, when Dr. Nourbash sent her home with clear, direct guidance for staying safe during recovery.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy played a central role in Janet's recovery, and Barrington Orthopedic Specialists coordinated every step. Home PT began first, twice a week for two weeks, alongside visiting nurse checks to monitor her vitals and watch for signs of complications.
From there, Janet transitioned to outpatient physical therapy, working with a therapist she'd actually met four years earlier during an earlier round of care ordered by Dr. Nourbash.
'So with continuity of care, I gained confidence in not having a walker or cane.'
Now almost seven weeks post-op, Janet has resumed driving and describes herself as walking straighter with no pain, even as some residual numbness near her kneecap continues to fade with time.
Life After Surgery
Janet's daily life has returned to its full rhythm. She's handling household tasks and errands without difficulty and is looking forward to returning to her seasonal, part-time work later this year.
'My everyday life is good. Able to perform all household tasks, errands, etc.'
Advice for Others Considering Surgery
Janet's advice reflects both her practical mindset and the confidence built from years of trusting her care team.
'I am a very active senior, so I knew that BOS would help me achieve my goals. Before surgery it helps to be in good physical health and emotionally prepared to endure this procedure and have positive post-op results.'
An Experience She'd Recommend Without Hesitation
Asked to describe Barrington Orthopedic Specialists to someone who has never been there, Janet doesn't hold back.
'The best! If asked I would never hesitate to recommend Dr. Nourbash to a friend or family.'
Start Your Own Path to Pain-Free Movement
If chronic knee pain has been holding you back the way it once challenged Janet, know that relief and a supportive care team are within reach.
Request an appointment to learn more about knee pain treatment and total knee replacement with Dr. Nourbash and the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.
