Mrs. Amporn Boonkerd
 
How Revision Knee Replacement Surgery Helped Mrs. Boonkerd Walk Again

 As the daughters and primary caregivers of 82-year-old patient Khun Amporn Boonkerd, Khun Pook and Khun Ple shared their mother’s journey of undergoing a Revision Total Knee Replacement. Their story offers valuable insight and encouragement to others who may be hesitant or worried about undergoing revision knee surgery.
 

 

 

The Turning Point: Deciding on a Second Knee Surgery

Khun Amporn previously underwent a partial knee replacement on her right knee in 2013 at Bumrungrad International Hospital with the MAKO robotic-assisted surgical system, which was an advanced technology at the time. The surgery was successful, and she resumed her normal lifestyle.

However, over the past 3–4 years, she began to experience hip pain due to a misalignment of her right leg; unfortunately, her right leg had become bowed after the initial surgery. This caused a leg length discrepancy and an unequal hip alignment — and she also had lumbar spinal stenosis. Although she had been taking pain medication for two years, her knee condition progressively worsened to the point where walking was difficult. Eventually, she was unable to leave the house or enjoy her favorite activities.

Trusting in the Expertise of the Bumrungrad Medical Team

Initially, both Khun Amporn and her family were reluctant to proceed with another surgery. She had previously undergone a total knee replacement on her left leg at a public hospital, which required a lengthy six-month recovery. Moreover, the upcoming revision surgery on the right leg was expected to be more complex and challenging than her first.

However, after consulting with Dr. Charlee Sumettavanich, an orthopedic surgeon at Bumrungrad, the family gained reassurance. Dr. Charlee provided clear, honest information and comforted them by saying,
"Don’t worry. I’ve performed thousands of knee surgeries. This case is no more difficult than others I’ve dealt with. Just focus on preparing for the surgery. Leave the rest to me."

Additionally, Asst. Prof. Dr. Supakanya Wongrakpanich, a geriatric specialist, evaluated Khun Amporn’s preoperative physical readiness, further boosting the family’s confidence to proceed.

A Faster, Smooth Recovery

One of the most remarkable aspects of Khun Amporn’s experience was her swift recovery and minimal side effects — completely different from her prior surgery.

After surgery, she experienced almost no nausea or vomiting and reported little to no pain, thanks to a peripheral nerve block that provided continuous pain control. Three days after her surgery, the device was removed, and she still did not require additional pain medication.

Just one day after surgery, Dr. Tulpong Ampool, Dr. Charlee’s surgical assistant, encouraged her to stand up. Khun Pook noted, "Her recovery was incredibly fast. We believe the outcome was due to both the surgeon’s skill and the continuous pain management. Even after removing the device, she was able to walk without pain."

Khun Amporn stayed in the hospital for only five nights, which included the day of her surgery, before being discharged.

The Role of Holistic Postoperative Care

The family and physiotherapy team played an essential role in her recovery. During her hospital stay, her children took turns watching over her. After her discharge, instead of returning home, she stayed temporarily at a condominium near the hospital for easier access to physiotherapy. The family also recorded video clips of her physiotherapy sessions to ensure the correct exercises could be repeated at home.

Khun Pook shared, "The physiotherapists were critical to her fast recovery. The team at Bumrungrad was experienced and knew how much she could handle. Their guidance was spot-on." Khun Ple added,
"They were also very kind and patient."

During a follow-up appointment, Dr. Buntita Chaiyakul, a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, applauded her excellent progress.

A New Life, A New Sense of Joy

Today, despite having multiple chronic conditions, Khun Amporn has regained her independence and is living her life fully again. One of her biggest achievements was traveling to China to visit relatives — a trip she thought was impossible before her surgery.

Khun Pook shared, "In April, Mom visited family in China. She was able to walk and carry her belongings all by herself. Life is completely different now. She can stand, walk, enjoy daily life, and even travel — something she had to stop doing before her surgery."

Words of Encouragement for Those Considering Revision Knee Surgery
Khun Pook emphasized three key points: Modern technology has improved significantly, making complications and pain less severe than in the past. Choosing an experienced surgeon — especially for revision surgery, which is more complex than first-time procedures — is essential.

Don’t Delay

“Our mother had undergone several surgeries and didn’t want to go through it again. But her condition was negatively affecting her daily life. Don’t hesitate to consult with a specialist. Making the right decision can drastically improve your quality of life,” she said.

As Khun Amporn herself put it: "If I had known it would be this good, I would’ve done it years ago. I shouldn’t have endured the pain for so long."



Reviewed byDr. Charlee Sumettavanich