Cape Girardeau, MO - I have to admit, that I haven't always been super impressed with some doctors. I believe that when it come to your health, that you have to be proactive and really push certain issues sometimes. I think, especially in an orthopedic setting, that doctors become accustomed to what they do that they can become complacent. That's what happened to me in the beginning of this 2-year knee issue. I did my due diligence after my first knee surgery in June of 2018, and found a great surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner and truly cares about getting you back to "normal" again.
So I have to give some credit here to Dr. Anthony McPherron, Orthopedic Surgeon, at SoutheastHealth in Cape Girardeau, his office staff and surgical team, who have been with me thru my Total Knee Replacement journey since last year when I first made my appointment for a 2nd opinion. Let me tell you he did an amazing job on my TKR and his office staff, especially Laura, who worked with me through all the agonizing pain and insurance phone calls. You see my body does not do well with pain medicine. They just don't seem to work at all so when you can't get ahead of the pain you don't do well in physical therapy in the beginning.
Then I had other complications as the knee and my walking gait had caused my back to herniate at L4-L5-S1 area over the year it took me to get the knee replacement, which had then calcified into a hard mass requiring a little more surgery right after the TKR. So within one month I had two surgerys, two back injections, and one ankle injection and lots of nerve issues and not one pain medication took the pain away.
Dr. McPherron worked with my neurosurgeon and pain management doctors to help me get to the point I am now, a total of 8 months of doctor visits and testing. Though nerve damage may be permanent (takes a long long time to regenerate the nerves, 1 mm per day) it was not related to the knee surgery, but the back herniation surgery. I have no feeling on the outside of my left leg and then my foot is constantly pins and needles and that's what makes it difficult to walk. I have to take Gabapentin to keep my leg from jerking and foot from curling at night and to give me some relief to sleep. I may be on this for the rest of my life.
My body also makes a lot of scar tissue. Many do not know, but I had two surgeries in 2019 not related to the knee or back. My ovary decided to do its own thing and my fallopian tube had wrapped around my intestine. Once they were removed (the Wednesday before Christmas and Bloomfield BB Tournament) I had to have an oblation. Many did not know while I sat on the stage writing articles and taking photos that I had just had surgery. Scar tissue formed there as well. So then scar tissue grew around the new mechanism in my knee causing me not to get a good bend so I can walk properly.
I also can't have gas anesthetic so Dr. Park has to use his own cocktail of drugs to keep me under and it is dangerous, but he is always my anesthesiologist and has never failed me or I wouldn't be here today. I don't know how many people are in surgery with me, but I would guess at least 10. And through all six surgeries I have had in the last year or so I have had some of the greatest people to help me before, during and after surgery. Especially when you know them by name and they know me. Even Hope at the intake desk knows me by name!!
Dr. McPherron performed surgery on Thursday, February 27th and cleaned all that out and then did a manipulation of my knee. I can tell you I have gone from 85 degree bend to 105 degree bend this morning and using my CPM Machine. Yes I cried getting to that bend has been a long and grueling process. I am sure he got more under anesthetic, but I do have pain today........My goal is 120 degrees at least if not more. So I have a few more weeks of physical therapy and then we will see what to do about the back/nerve issues. People want to quickly blame a doctor, but sometimes it's just your body being difficult and stubborn. My daddy always said I was stubborn when I was a kid...LOL
I just wanted to give a shoutout to his team and let you know what a great doctor we have here in southeast Missouri. There is always a learning curve when you have a condition foreign to your knowledge. I have learned a great amount about Total Knee Replacements, nerves, back herniations, and medications. Be diligent and communicate with your doctor. It makes a world of difference in your healing and I want to thank Dr. McPherron and his team on dealing with this difficult patient!!!!
Here is some information from SoutheastHEALTH's website about Dr. McPherron. He is a sports guy for sure, but he is also a compassionate doctor who really does want you to get back to 100%. When I walked into his office I told him what I did for a living and though I am fluffy I do need to get up and down that football field, basketball court, and I have to be able to move it!!! I know I still have more weeks of pain and physical therapy and home exercises, but I am persistent and I am getting better thank to some great local doctors!
"Dr. Anthony McPherron is passionate about helping patients get back to enjoying life and doing the things they’ve always loved to do. He believes that when someone has an orthopedic problem it impacts more than just “my knee hurts or my shoulder hurts.” It affects a person’s life, and he finds it fulfilling to help people get back to that life."
"As Medical Director of Orthopedic Services and Sports Medicine Services, Dr. McPherron recognizes the immense need for orthopedic care in southeast Missouri and looks forward to bringing new, world-class and innovative techniques to patients that have not existed here before."
"An avid outdoor enthusiast, Dr. McPherron enjoys spending time with his children, hiking, sports activities and all that the outdoors has to offer. Indoors, he likes to settle in with a good book."
Services
Orthopedics, Surgery
Specialties
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine
Departments
Orthopedics
Credentials
Certifications
Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery, AOBOS
Former Certified Athletic Trainer
Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, AOAO
BLS/ACLS, American Heart Association
Education
1990, Indiana State University, BS
1994, Ohio University, DO
2006, Purdue University, MBA
2020, Swineburne University, MSc
Residency
1999, Orthopedic Surgery, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center
Professional Affiliations
American Osteopathic Association
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
Indiana Osteopathic Association
Adult Reconstruction Section, AOAO
Sports Medicine Section, AOAO
