Knee Replacement Testimonials

Mother and daughter knee replacements done within a week. Total knee replacement for mom, Oxford partial knee replacement for daughter.

R.P. & N.B.

This man is so happy with two total knee replacements done by Dr. Likover, he had Dr. Likover’s actual signature tattooed on each leg.

W.J.

Table of Contents

Oxford Partial Knee Replacement Patients

Patients receiving an Oxford knee replacement say there is “no comparison” in partial knee replacement recovery time, intensity of pain, and range of mobility, and they could not be more pleased.

D.L. – from Kerrville, Texas

For the past seven or eight years, I have not taken a step without pain.

I am an ex-coach of high school football, but now I officiate athletic games. I gave up basketball officiating because of the pain in my knees.

I was so bow-legged that many people made fun of me, especially when I wore shorts. These problems are not part of my life anymore! My legs are straight, and I can walk or jog without pain.

I had the Oxford Knee Partial Replacement done on both knees and in less than two months after the last surgery, I was calling softball games behind the plate! Dr. Likover and his staff are truly amazing, and they have changed my life! I can even stay up with my wife at Wal*Mart!

If you have knee problems, don’t hesitate to see Dr. Likover as soon as possible! My knees get better everyday, and I am no longer embarrassed by wearing shorts! Thank you, Dr. Likover!

P.R. – Woodlands, TX, age 47

Dr. Likover: It has now been 7 weeks since the surgery. I am 100% recovered and back in the gym. I have even begun to do some light jogging.

I have zero pain and have ditched the pain pills. The Oxford truly changed my life. It is awesome! Thank you and your staff for doing such a great job.

I am truly thankful to God that you have eliminated my pain. It is great to be back to normal. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! P.R. Oxford done 12/6/06

W.B. – Huntsville, TX

I am extremely pleased with my Oxford partial knee replacement. The entire procedure in including recovery time was about 2 weeks.

I hadn’t met Dr. Likover until I came in for the pre-surgery office visit the day before the surgery. We had corresponded via the internet, after I’d initially found his website.

The surgery was on a Wednesday morning and I went home from the hospital the following Friday morning. I went back to work a week later.

Overall, there was minimal pain (most of it immediately following the surgery), and just as Dr. Likover promised, I was walking with full weight on the knee the day I left the hospital.

The relief I’ve received from this knee has in fact made walking on my other knee much easier. I’m also looking forward to having the same procedure performed on my other knee in May.

M.P. – Houston, Texas

Dr. Likover, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me my life back. Before seeing you in November 2006 my activities were extremely limited.

Since the first meeting with you three months ago I have had the Oxford procedure performed on both of my knees. Believe me your services will be highly recommended to all that I know.

I still can’t believe that the pain and healing time were so minimal, and that I was walking long distance on my own within only a few weeks of the procedure. I am so pleased that I can now function without any pain or limitations.

If it were not for you and the Oxford procedure this 70 year old Nurse would have had to retire. Thanks to you and your team and I will be going to work at the end of April.

B.M – Houston, Texas, age 68

After being told by two orthopedic doctors that I needed total knee replacements, my wife searched for alternatives to the full knee replacement. She found Dr. Likover on the internet.

Dr. Likover completed the Oxford procedure on my left knee on Jan. 3, 2007. Twenty-eight days after the procedure, I was playing golf. I am very anxious to get my right knee done as soon as possible.

I could not be more pleased with my renewed left knee.

J.T – Laguna Vista, Texas, age 60+

Dr. Likover THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! I am a 60+ life long “jock” and now avid tennis player with a horrible left knee from football and rugby.

Arthroscopic surgery in 1978 was a stopgap measure that helped until I tore an achilles in the same leg in 2001 and it has been down hill from there. Bone on bone on the inside of the left knee. My orthopedic doctor recommended full knee replacement.

I sent her info on the Oxford partial knee replacement and she said that I was not a candidate?? I sent you my X-rays and MRI for review and you said to come in for a personal exam and I did. You said I was a prefect candidate because my knee was strong and stable.

You performed the surgery the next morning in about 45 minutes. I was up walking that evening with a walker and 2 days later I was going up stairs at my daughters house. The rehab was a piece of cake with the passive motion machine I watched tons of football over the Christmas holidays and walked a lot.

Thirty three days after the surgery I played 3 sets of doubles tennis and won the match!!! Two months later I played singles for the first time in 6 years!! Within 2 months after surgery I am was playing 2 to 3 doubles matches a week and have no pain before, during or after!!!

I have lost 10 pounds and intend to get back to tournament singles competition for the first time in 15 years. Regards, J.T.

D.H. – Houston, Texas, age 80

Two years ago, May 24, 2005, I could hardly walk for the pain in my left knee and it was getting worse. I had two choices. I thought I was going to live on pain killers the rest of my life, then you explained the good results available from the surgery procedure called Oxford partial knee replacement.

I’ll have to admit I was fearful of both and I gave it a lot of thought. I finally made the choice of surgery. It was the best decision I ever made.

First day after surgery I was walking in the room, second day down the hall with a walker and the third day I left the hospital to start my therapy. It was amazing how quickly I responded.

I could walk and go up and down the stairs without pain. I was able to do anything I wanted to do. I got my life back. That was two years ago, I’m now 80 still walking, going up and down my stairs and even swimming.

Yes, I got my life back and I’m still enjoying every minute of it. I would highly recommend the Oxford procedure for anyone. Dr. Likover, you are the best….Thank you, thank you.

P.K. – Houston, Texas, age 79

Three years ago I was told I needed total knee replacements in both knees. Since the pain was so intense, I chose surgery on my right knee first.

I was in the hospital and rehab hospital for 11 days then went home using a walker. Because the recovery time was so long and the pain lasted so long I was hesitant about having the other knee operated on and put it off until I had to make a decision.

A friend and former patient of Dr. Likover told me about his Oxford partial knee replacement and suggested I at least go in for an evaluation. I made an appointment, not expecting I would be a candidate, but wanting to explore every option.

I was elated when he said he could do the Oxford procedure and we scheduled a date for surgery. My surgery was on Wednesday and I went home on Friday. The pain was minimal and I progressed from using a walker to a cane immediately.

A month later I drove myself to the office, went up the stairs to the entry way then went out with friends for a Mexican dinner to celebrate!

I want everyone to know how much better the Oxford was for me than the total knee replacement. There is no comparison in the recovery time, the intensity of the pain and the range of mobility.

I have totally recovered and as a 79 year old woman, enjoy a satisfying and pain- free life. Thank you Dr. Likover, you are my hero.

D.F. – Dallas, Texas,

I’m from the Dallas area and was told by several Doctors I needed two full knee replacements. We have a 52′ Boat in Kemah, Tx – I found Dr. Likover on the web. He looked at my xrays and said I just needed two Oxfords.

It’a been four years I feel great. I crawl all over my boat – in the engine room change my oil and service everything I can.

Before my knees I had to have everything done. My wife and I walk, ride our bikes. I can also go with my wife into shopping centers now. It has given me my life back.

We just got back from a 4000 mile cruise. I would, and have recommended Dr. likover to anybody. He is so careful to get everything right.

It is important to do your rehab so as not to stiffen yourself up. It only took about two weeks. I did it on my boat.

Intellijoint Total Knee Replacement Patients

Patients come from across the globe for a custom-designed Intellijoint knee replacement performed by Dr. Likover.

R.P. (August 2020)

Dr Likover,

I just wanted to express my gratitude for the bilateral total knee replacements that you performed on me.

After putting in the work of PT I was back playing racquetball and tennis within four months and have progressive improvement weekly since then.

It has been 8 months since the second surgery and I am at approximately 90-95% back to full playing capacity. I had forgotten how good it can feel just to feel good again.

These surgeries have greatly improved my quality of life. Thanks again to you and your entire staff.

L.A. (July 2020)

Dr Larry Likover has performed the total replacement of both of my knees. The first step was to have an evaluation made of the condition of each of my knees and then to have an MRI image created of each knee so that the knee prostheses could be manufactured to match my exact, concise knee dimensions. My first knee replacement surgery was performed on my left knee in August 2019 when I was aged 77 and the second on my right knee almost 6 months later.

In both cases, I checked into Memorial Hermann Hospital early in the morning and by 1pm on the same day I was already home convalescing. The actual surgery lasted just over 1 hour each time and my recovery in the hospital following surgery lasted about 1½ hours. Each time, prior to being discharged from the hospital, I was escorted in a walk around on a part of the hospital floor using my walker to ensure that the replaced knee was functioning as expected with my full weight on it.

I experienced minimal pain related to both surgeries and was using my walker for about 2 to 2½ weeks after each surgery after which time I felt comfortable to walk without a walker. I had some 6 follow up visits with Dr Likover following each surgery.

I was driving my car in about 12 days after my first surgery and about 15 days after my second surgery after I stopped taking the pain killers that I had been given to alleviate the pain. Following each knee replacement, I underwent an X ray imaging of the replaced knee to make sure that there were no apparent problems with the knee following surgery.

For each knee, I felt that I had made a good recovery after about 12 weeks following surgery. I received excellent physiotherapy treatment from the physiotherapists at the Iron Man Sport Medicine Institute at Memorial City. I found daily exercising to be essential for a speedy and effective recovery. I am still exercising both of my knees each day.

I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Likover for knee replacement surgery. I am extremely pleased with his expertise, competence and experience and the subsequent outcome of both of knees. During my 12 or so visits with him over the course of two knee replacements, I found him to be very attentive, professional, forthright, cheerful and ready to answer my many questions.

I also have no hesitation in recommending Memorial Hermann Hospital as the hospital where the surgery is to be performed, nor Iron Man Sport Medicine Institute for receiving physiotherapy services following knee replacement or other surgery.

Thank you Dr Likover for two great and successful surgeries.

General AlMumin – Embassy of the State of Kuwait, Baghdad

General AlMumin found Dr. Likover on the internet and came all the way to Houston for a Intellijoint knee replacement. The CAT scan instead of an MRI was done in Kuwait.

General AlMumin fought in the first Iraq war with General Schwartzkopf and is now an Ambassador. He has a great result from his knee replacement.

Read the full letter here.

K.A. – Deerpark, Texas

In 2007 I had my left knee replaced by a doctor in the Texas Medical center. I have never been happy with it. I have had two arthroscopic surgeries to try and help pain coming from the kneecap area of the total knee and to check out pain in that knee.

I found Dr. Likover over the internet and had a CustomFit knee placed in my right knee. In six weeks I was over the operation and the knee feels great. It feels like a normal knee.

I did not have anywhere near the pain I had with the traditional replacement with the CustomFit surgery. I have been begging Dr. Likover to fix my first replacement, but that has yet to be done. He tells me that is a difficult problem.

R.G. – Katy, Texas

Hello, I used to be a patient of Dr. Likover. He replaced my right knee back in march of 2008. I recovered after 3-4 months of rehab.

I now run my own Exercise Wellness Company in the Houston area. I hold my bachelors Degree in kinesiology, and have multiple certifications. I am proficient in training clients in the athletic arena as well as others suffering from a variety of injuries.

Thank you again for my successful knee surgery. I am currently running, lifting, and back to normal, 6 months after my surgery. People have been completely shocked about my progression. Thanks Doc. R.G.

S.P. – Houston, Texas

On July 28, 2008, Dr. Larry Likover replaced my left knee with an “Otis” Custom Fit Knee. At the same time, he removed two (2) screws that he had put in during a 1980’s right knee surgery for an ACL replacement. Then, three (3) months later on October 28, 2008, he replaced my right knee with an “Otis” Custom Fit knee.

Before both knee replacements, my prior surgery history with Dr. Likover consisted of the following operations:

  • Rights knee ACL replacement
  • Three (3) left knee cartilage removal surgeries over a 12 year period.
  • Left shoulder bone spur removal.
  • Left foot neroma surgery.
  • Lumbar Back surgery on L2, L3 and L4 for spinal stenosis.

Most of my orthopedic issues stemmed from playing lots of basketball my entire life and running approximately 20-30 miles per week for 30 years starting around 1970 (age 24).

By the year 2000, Dr. Likover had performed the four (4) knee surgeries mentioned above and both of my knees were basically bone on bone (little or no cartilage left). I finally had to stop running and playing basketball due to the pain in both knees.

Finally in 2008, Dr. Likover convinced me to consider the “Otis” Custom Fit Knee for my problems. I had become very “knock-kneed” and walking any distance was getting very painful.

I then made an appointment for a second opinion with Dr. David Lintner (Houston Texans’ team doctor) and he agreed that I definitely needed knee replacement surgery for both my knees. I then gave the thumbs up to Dr. Likover and the necessary MRI’s and surgeries were scheduled and carried out.

Eight (8) months later for my left knee and five (5) months later for my right knee, I am now pain free, straight-legged and able to exercise vigorously for one and a half hours, 4-6 times per week.

Even though Dr. Likover recommended that I not run anymore, I decided recently to test my knees to see if I could run. I found out, if I had to, I could now run. Hooray for a 62 year old!

I enthusiastically endorse the “Otis” Custom Fit Knee and would be glad to answer any questions regarding my experiences with this device. If Dr. Likover thinks I could help anyone considering this surgery, please ask him for my phone number or email to see my x-rays.

Hip Replacement Patients

R.H.

patient image

This is my story about my hip replacement operation.

For about 4 years I experienced pain in my groin area that I thought was a repetitive injury to my hip flexors from heavy lifting. From about September 2010 until November 2011 the pain increased and my flexibility decreased to the point I had to stop performing several lifting exercises (squat, sumo deadlift, power clean).

I decided to have Dr. Likover exam my hip and hopefully give me a shot to reduce the inflammation. He showed me the X-ray and pointed out that the cartilage was absent in my left hip. I decided on the spot to schedule the replacement surgery.

We had much talk and e-mails over the best material to use. I asked for a Magnum metal on metal joint to allow me to train and lift again. His surgery went as perfect as planned.

The first 10 days were very painful and uncomfortable, but I did the suggested physical therapy 2-3 times per day. I started to incorporate free standing squats with a bar between 2 and 3 weeks from the operation.

I used crutches to get to the safety power rack to squat and then squat down to a small bench. This was one key to my recovery because my hips, legs, and back were being worked like I was standing up from a sitting position in a chair.

I also transitioned from a bike to an elliptical machine for conditioning purposes within 4 weeks. I felt this was the second key because I did not hold onto the side rails and forced my core to hold me up and put a load on my legs. The motion of the machine made the hip joint move along with forcing blood flow into my leg muscles.

I stretched after every workout and that progress was slow but steady for a year. I did my first deadlift from the floor exactly 5 weeks to the day of the operation. The extra weight that I picked up provided gravity loading and hopefully, mineralization around my new metal shaft.

The final key was my use of massage therapy to break down scar tissue in my leg.

Patellofemoral Replacement Patient

J.G – League City Texas, age 65

I am 65 years old and have osteoarthritis. I had bad constant pain in my right knee for a number of years restricting my normal daily activities.

I contacted Dr. Likover to discuss knee replacement. He said I did not need total knee replacement and recommended the patellofemoral joint replacement procedure. I have been very, very pleased with the results.

My procedure took place November 29, 2006 and I was able to travel to Chicago for the Christmas holidays. After 3 months I am pain free and able to chase after my 2 year old and 4 year old grandsons.

I would not have thought I would ever look forward to surgery, but I anticipate the same great results when I have my left knee done. Thanks to Dr. Likover, I am a much younger 65 now.

 

ACL Surgery Patients

E. Mike Spartalis – Sugarland, Texas

On March 7, 2012 I celebrated my 64th birthday. I am an active older guy (age is only a number) who lives vicariously through his sports, competition and my sons. Softball, tennis, skiing and especially Basketball have been my release, my therapy and my passions. If Basketball were a woman, I would be having an affair.

I thank my God for the ability to play these games and also for putting Dr. Larry Likover in my life. Over 20 years ago after suffering a torn ACL from skiing and two unsuccessful knee surgeries, I was faced with a future without my most precious therapeutic sports and passions.

Dr Likover was referred to me and after our initial visit, I knew this doctor’s bluntness, quickness to diagnose my situation, his history, his reputation as a great Knee surgeon and his passion for his profession was the person I needed. You could say he was “Exactly what the Doctor ordered” or in this case what God ordered.

I had the reconstruction surgery on my right knee and my history from that time to present has been multiple national and local championships in Softball, on going weekly Basketball games playing at a competitive level, skiing and active athletic challenges with my athletic sons.

I recently was awarded an “Athletic Spirit Award” from a local sports radio station for my achievements and continuous efforts to play the sports of my passions at this sobering age. I thought about what led me to this award and my thoughts focused on Dr. Likover’s success in repairing my knee.

For this Lifetime passion that has not eluded me, I give thanks for a doctor who cared enough about whom I was and my passions. Although I did not make millions playing a sport, it was worth millions or let’s say priceless, to me to continue to play.

To a dedicated professional who always takes his medical knowledge and his unique bedside manor to the next level, thank you Dr. Likover, you’re the best.

E. Mike Spartalis

Meniscus Surgery Patients

D.S.- Houston, TX

I had meniscus surgery on October 8th and in today’s Houston marathon (January 13th) I successfully recorded a time good enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon!