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torrancememorial.org PULSE | 35 and healthy eating help to reduce anxiety and allow a patient to just feel better. A positive attitude, while not quantifiable by science, plays a critical role in health and in recovery, Dr. Unatin adds. If surgery is imminent, experts in the field say knee-replacement surgery has evolved. Not only are knee prostheses state-of-the-art, surgical techniques are less invasive and less painful than ever before. With the use of injections and smaller incisions, post-surgery pain is significantly reduced. Dr. Silvino, who performed Dr. Unatin's knee surgery on April 14, explains ways doctors significantly reduce post- op pain: "e femoral/sciatic nerve block combination provides good results for partial and total knee-replacement patients," he says. "In the period right aer surgery when patients experience the most distress, they are practically pain-free. Because patients are in less pain, they are more inclined to participate in physical therapy. is allows for fast recovery and a quick return to mobility." e first thing to do aer a knee replacement is rest, says Dr. Unatin. Swelling, though typical, can be discouraging. "e first two weeks you will be uncomfortable and swollen. Listen to your doctor and do whatever you can to relax," he says. "Do what PTs [physical therapists] tell you to do. Walk to reduce the chances of blood clots forming, but for two weeks, you can't do too much, and a lot of anxiety can emerge." Just knowing that anxiety may emerge can help lessen it. Dr. Unatin says to count on some uncomfortable moments of doubt but know you are healing. "e site of the surgery is warm. You may even think an infection is forming," he says. "But it will cool and once it calms down by week three, you can begin slowly to gain range of motion." Dr. Unatin advises patients to begin working on strength and range of motion during week three. Some physical therapists may disagree or have other favorite means for this, but he gained strength and range of mobility with a stationary bike, slowly and mindfully increasing duration and difficulty. So how else does Dr. Unatin advise his patients now that he has had knee- replacement surgery himself ? First, it's not going to feel like your knee for six to nine months. "Your pain may go, but it won't feel organically like your own knee right away." Second, it will get progressively better as long as you get "incrementally better every day by doing just a bit more." Still, it's a balance. Don't overdo it. ird, be patient. "Patients should have patience. Listen to your physical therapist. Learn from your PT. Pay attention to the exercises you are given. Even if you can only go to a few PT sessions, you can learn what you need to do at home." Fourth, be positive. "You'll get there. I'm a cyclist. My anxiety was, would I have the range of motion to bike? Five months ago I biked on the Strand—not very fast, but I still did it!" Dr. Unatin is clearly an inspiration. e physician hiked in Yosemite two months aer his operation, according to good friend and partner Dr. Silvino, who took the hiking picture above and said his friend was "a great patient." Today, six months aer his knee- replacement surgery, Dr. Unatin is back in the office, back on the bike. You may even spot him biking on the Strand or hiking in a neighborhood near you. W H E N D O CTO R S B E C O M E PAT I E N T S "I'M MORE SENSITIVE TO WHEN MY PATIENTS NEED SURGERY. WE DON'T TREAT X-RAYS— WE TREAT PEOPLE." Top: Dr. Unatin hiked in Yosemite two months after his operation. Bottom: The physician in his office.