Thirty years ago, Katherine Polychron was going for a steal in basketball when her knee buckled, and she was carried off the court. This ACL and meniscus tear triggered three reconstructions by her 19th birthday and a fourth “clean-up” knee surgery a few years later.
Despite multiple surgeries, Katherine refused to give up her active lifestyle. Over the next 20 years, she learned to modify her activities and favor her right leg to protect her left as she skied, ran half-marathons, and played tennis. Katherine described running as a type of therapy that helped heal her heart in her 30s and evolved into an essential part of her life.
In 2022, her situation worsened. Just two months after a partial meniscectomy was performed, her knee pain and instability returned. She couldn’t walk, run, or play tennis without severe pain, and knee injections didn’t relieve her symptoms. She was told knee replacement would be her next step.
“I was depressed and felt hopeless at 43 that anything positive could ever be done to my knee,” Katherine said. “I truly believed I would never run again. It felt like I aged my body to a point of no return, all because of a fall at age 15.”
Finding hope with the right team
Katherine consulted a new orthopedic team in 2023 at UT Physicians. Meeting Eric F. Berkman, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at UT Physicians Orthopedics at Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedic Hospital, marked a turning point. While a knee replacement was a possible solution, he didn’t want that for her.
“It was the first time anyone had given me an inkling that it might not be the best choice,” Katherine said.
The cumulative effect of Katherine’s injuries and previous surgeries created a perfect storm, leading to arthritis. Berkman saw potential where others saw limitations, despite her complex case.
“Her knee felt unstable with arthritis as a young, very active person, which is a complex problem,” said Berkman, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “She was in the top percentile of patient complexity I’ve seen through the years.”
Berkman turned to his colleague, Evan G. Meeks, MD, another orthopedic surgeon in the practice at UT Physicians Orthopedics at Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute – Texas Medical Center, for specialized expertise. Not many surgeons in the city can handle the advanced procedures required, according to Berkman. This collaborative approach reflects the strength of working within a comprehensive orthopedic group.
“That’s the blessing of a group like UT Physicians orthopedics with 100-plus doctors,” Berkman said. “If my skill level or comfort level isn’t where I think it should be to provide the best care for the patient, I can always find someone in our group with the highest level of expertise.”
Developing an extensive treatment plan
The referral to Meeks, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at McGovern Medical School, proved transformative. Together, Meeks and Berkman developed a comprehensive surgical approach: a two-part series ACL reconstruction with cartilage transplants, a medial meniscus transplant, and a lateral meniscus repair.
“We knew from the beginning Katherine needed multiple surgeries to stabilize the knee, clean things up, and prepare the knee for what the final surgery needed to be,” Meeks said.
During Katherine’s first appointment, Meeks said they had a lengthy discussion about the treatment options available and potential risks: a two-part surgery or a knee replacement. If Katherine had a knee replacement at a young age, she might need another in her lifetime.
Meeks was upfront about the challenging recovery necessary following the two-part surgery and that it would be roughly two years before Katherine could expect full function. While Meeks believed she would be strong enough to do most activities, he couldn’t guarantee she’d be able to run or play tennis with full force.
After evaluating her options, Katherine opted for the lengthy, two-part surgery.
Navigating the transplant journey
One of the compelling aspects of Katherine’s treatment involved a cartilage transplant procedure. Her knee had several defects in the joint surface where cartilage and bone broke off. This required finding a deceased donor with a bone size and curvature like hers. Katherine’s cartilage donor needed to be a child with healthy and fresh cartilage, versus an active adult.
The procedure involved drilling into the defective joint, removing 7-10 millimeters of bone under the cartilage, taking the same size from the donated tissue, and inserting it in place of the removed bone. Over the next six to eight weeks, the patient’s bone grows into the transplanted bone. Meeks said this advanced procedure has an impressive 85%-90% lifespan at 10 years.
Persevering during a long recovery
The surgical success was only the beginning.
Throughout the lengthy recovery process, Katherine showed remarkable dedication and resilience. The eight-week non-weight-bearing period was particularly difficult for the elementary special education teacher, but she persevered. Unfortunately, she also experienced complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition that can occur after surgery. Katherine’s foot was dark purple for months, and she feared permanent nerve damage. It ultimately returned to normal.
Katherine’s recovery involved 12 months of structured physical therapy, starting with intensive sessions to address scar tissue and weakness, then transitioning to maintenance and performance training. Meeks describes her as an exemplary patient.
“Every patient has doubts and frustrations during the recovery process, and I always encouraged Katherine to tell me exactly what she was feeling,” Meeks said. “She felt frustrated at times, but she never lost her focus or drive to get better.”
Returning to a full life
Today, 18 months postsurgery, Katherine has exceeded even optimistic expectations. She’s returned to daily activities she loves, such as running, without pain and pushed herself to competitive athletics again.
“I never dreamed I’d be able to play tennis again, but I just played for an hour last week. I also signed up for a run a couple of weeks ago, because I can,” Katherine said. “I hit the jackpot with Dr. Berkman and Dr. Meeks, and I want the world to know how amazing they are!”
Meeks is proud of Katherine’s accomplishments after her complex surgeries.
“She’s put in tons of hard work and is really strong,” he said. “I encourage her to keep pushing the limit. That’s the whole purpose of undergoing such a major surgery – to be as active as you want to be.”
Living with extreme gratitude
With the right medical team and unwavering patient determination, even the most challenging orthopedic cases can lead to renewed hope and an active, fulfilling life. Seven surgeries later, Katherine reflects on her journey with profound gratitude.
“It’s truly a miracle. Two of the most outstanding doctors on this earth have given me such an incredible gift,” Katherine said. “I look forward to putting on my running shoes after work and going outside. I’m starting to feel like myself again.”
