Twice as Nice Bilateral knee surgery gives McMurray man his active life back
Joe Unitas of McMurray recently had a double knee replacement. Unitas now does knee exercises to strengthen his legs. “The rehab took about three months, but it was worth the hard work. I am very happy with the results,” Unitas said.
Joe Unitas took a quick picture of his doctor, Thomas Mutschler, just before his knee surgery.
Joe Unitas of McMurray has returned to an active lifestyle after having a bilateral knee replacement last May.
One year ago, Joe Unitas was preparing for a surgery that he hoped would enable him to stand again for long periods of time and enjoy exercising with his wife of 49 years.
Today, the tall, white-haired McMurray man is back to his regular, active lifestyle after making a full recovery from bilateral knee replacement surgery last May.
He proudly points out the scars on his knees as he bends and flexes at the joint, then gives both knees a gentle pat as if to thank them for the good work.
“The real thanks goes to Dr. (Thomas) Mutschler,” said Unitas. “He did a superb job. I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference it has made in my life. I suffered with the pain for about three or four years until I couldn’t stand it anymore. The right knee was the worst, rubbing bone on bone. The left knee wasn’t as serious, but it was on its way. The rehab took about three months, but it was worth the hard work. I am very happy with the results.”
Unitas is now back to walking, golfing, and working out at the Icoplex three times a week with his wife, and the couple hopes to travel together soon.
Mutschler, a physician at Canonsburg General Hospital, said approximately one-third of his patients opt for bilateral knee replacement surgery – having both knees replaced at one time. While the procedure prevents the patient from having to undergo surgery twice if both knees are declining, it isn’t for everyone. Mutschler said Unitas was a good candidate because he is in good health, had equally bad knees, was very active, and had a positive attitude.
“If patients are not committed to being active or are uncertain if they can handle the rehabilitation necessary for recovery, we usually don’t consider them to be a good candidate for the bilateral knee surgery,” said Darlene Swickline, office manager.
For a lifelong athlete like Unitas, not having the ability to be as active as he wanted to be is what forced him to the doctor to seek a solution for his pain. Unitas has been active since he was a young boy. A first cousin to the late Johnny Unitas, known as one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time, Joe Unitas has sports abilities in his blood.
He played peewee hockey as a young boy and learned to love the game of football as a teen. He proudly played right tackle for the University of Louisville football team alongside his cousin, Johnny, and later had the opportunity to briefly play with him for the Baltimore Colts.
“I got to play for one exhibition game with the Colts, but then was told I could no longer play because they discovered that I had scoliosis,” said Unitas. “That was one of the greatest disappointments of my life.”
The scoliosis didn’t prevent Unitas from playing hockey as an adult and remaining an active athlete, however. He has also overcome the removal of a benign brain tumor in the early 1970s and received a pacemaker in the early 1990s to correct his arrhythmia.
Unitas, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, made his living for the past 50 years as a photographer and lighting professional in Peters Township. He did many company photographs for Westinghouse, Alcoa, Bayer, U.S. Steel, and variety of other Pittsburgh-based companies. His most memorable work was done in 1968 when he was lighting director for the horror movie, “Night of the Living Dead.”
“I have done a lot in my life and I hope to accomplish quite a bit more,” said Unitas. “I am almost fully recovered now and quite pleased with my recovery. I am happy. I have no complaints.”