Wes Unseld, an NBA Hall of Famer who played for the Baltimore/Washington Bullets (Wizards) from 1968 to 1981, has a long history with Kernan Hospital. Most recently, he had a bilateral knee replacement operation at Kernan on October 2, 2003. Below, Unseld describes his experiences at Kernan and with the University of Maryland's Department of Orthopaedics.
What is your connection with Kernan? Why did you decide to have your surgery there?
I had my first knee operation at Kernan in 1969. After my operation, I received physical therapy from William (Bill) Neill.
When I was with the Baltimore Bullets (before they became Washington Bullets/Wizards) the players went to Kernan for their physical therapy.
Then I went there for a sprained ankle and physical therapy. While there, I saw kids with real problems. So Mr. Neill let me volunteer there.
(At the time Kernan Hospital provided orthopaedic and plastic surgery services primarily to children, but a limited number of adult orthopaedic patients were accepted for treatment. Kernan began treating sports injuries of Maryland's professional and college sports stars in the 1950s). For more details on the history of Kernan Hospital and sports medicine click here.
I transported children from the ward to physical therapy and Bill also gave me a couple of patients to work with. I volunteered at Kernan from 1969 to 1974. During this time I was also on the board of directors.
So when I knew I had to get this most recent knee operation, when it came to do something this major, I was looking for the best doctor. My regular doctor knew Dr. Vincent Pellegrini (James Lawrence Kernan Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Chief of Orthopaedics at the University of Maryland Medical Center) and recommended him.
Describe your history of knee problems and your most recent problems.
I had my first knee operation at Kernan in 1969, and had three other knee operations between 1969 and 1981. I had deterioration of my knee ligament and tendon, and synovitis [inflammation of the synovial membrane, the tissue that lines and protects the joint, which causes tissues in the knee to fill up with excess fluid]. I had a synovectomy [where the inflamed joint tissue around knee is removed].
Most recently, I had severe knee pain. I had trouble getting around and I was in constant pain. It's been that way for a long time. Another doctor warned me many years ago that I would need a bilateral knee operation someday. The pain woke me up at night, and it was painful to walk, sit down and get up again. So I saw Dr. Pellegrini. He performed the operation on October 2, 2003
What happened after the operation?
I was in the hospital for eight days. The nurses and the rest of the ICU staff made it a pleasant experience. As far as their professionalism and genuine care, the nurses were absolutely wonderful. After I left the hospital, I was in rehabilitation for five weeks at Kernan's Outpatient Clinic, where I received physical therapy with Bill Neill. The therapists were great. Neill treated me the whole time I played professionally, even when the team left Baltimore.
How do you feel now, in comparison to before your surgery?
I feel much better now. I was taking 12 to 15 Advil a day just to get through the day. I haven't had one since the operation. My knees are back to normal. I have no problem at all, except for some stiffness.
How would you describe your most recent experience at Kernan and with Dr. Pellegrini?
It was a pleasant experience. Dr. Pellegrini was great. I've been in the presence of a lot of doctors, but he was unbelievable. I took a real liking to him. Originally I was going to have the team physician for the Washington Wizards operate on my knees but when I met Dr. Pellegrini, I decided to go to him instead. I felt very comfortable with him.
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