Fredericksburg Woman Gets High Quality Care Close To Home

February 9, 2024

Knee Replacement Surgery Is Helping Elaine Get Back To Walking, Gardening, Quilting And Spending Time With Her Grandkids

Mother of two and grandmother of four, Elaine Westin, 68, of Fredericksburg was struggling to do many of the activities she loves.

Said Elaine, “My husband and I went on a cruise up the east coast into Canada to see the Fall foliage and I couldn’t do many of the walking tours. My knee was weak and the pain went into my back. My flower beds suffered last summer because it was hard for me to bend over and weed. I couldn’t pick my strawberries. I even had trouble working the pedal on my sewing machine. Climbing the bleachers in the arena to watch my grandson play sports was painful and difficult. And I was not steady on my feet holding my 5 month year old grandson and I want to feel steady and sure of myself.”

Elaine had torn her meniscus in her right knee and was putting off knee replacement surgery, but finally it was time. “I got connected to the Mason City Clinic orthopedic surgeon Dr. Radulescu, or Dr. “Rad” through Patrice who runs a local quilting shop in New Hampton. Patrice had knee replacement surgery with Dr. Rad and she said good things about him, and encouraged me to schedule an appointment with him,” said Elaine.

Dr. Radulescu is an orthopedic surgeon at MercyOne North Iowa Orthopedics Care at Mason City Clinic and he does outreach clinics at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center as well as other MercyOne affiliated hospitals including Kossuth Regional Health Center and Hancock County Health System each week. Said Elaine,“Dr. Rad is a kind, kind soul. He is very competent and he met all my concerns and he wasn’t so  businesslike not to take the time to hear me out and answer all my questions. Dr. Rad is very calming. He is a very gentle person.”

For Elaine, Mason City is an hour drive from her home in Fredericksburg. But MercyOne New Hampton is only 15 minutes away.

Said Elaine, “The day of the surgery was the day of a big snowstorm in north Iowa — the nurses called and kept me posted on Dr. Rad’s arrival. He could have cancelled the surgery, but the whole surgical team risked being on the road to come and perform my surgery. I think they risked their lives to get to New Hampton, and I think that’s pretty special.”

“The surgery went fine and I was up and walking that evening. I am totally happy with rehab which is helping me to strengthen my legs. The first week I was using a walker; the second week, a cane and now I am walking without any assistance. My physical therapy is also conveniently at MercyOne New Hampton,” said Elaine.

“Now I am looking forward to all the activities I haven’t been able to do comfortably. My husband and I are planning a trip to Florida soon and I am excited to being able to get out and walk in the nice weather.”

“At my last appointment with Dr. Rad he said, “It’s good to see you smile”. Those little things mean a lot.

“I am fortunate to have the patient care of a large health institution care, but in a hometown atmosphere.”