Five years ago, Deborah Lee’s world turned topsy-turvy. She no longer was mobile, agile and able to play tennis. Her knees throbbed with pain and obesity caused them to worsen.

Deborah Lee

“I began to feel the impact and discomfort while standing for long periods of time. I was experiencing severe pain,” said Lee, who was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a degeneration of the cartilage of the joints.

Lee underwent four surgeries to replace both knees and hips. On Wednesday morning, she relayed her experience to members of the National Baptist Convention during a health breakfast at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.  

Lee lives in Baltimore, Md., and was in Memphis at the behest of Zimmer’s Back in the Groove Program, a partnership that addresses healthcare disparities that impact African Americans in the area of joint replacement.

Zimmer is a “worldwide No. 1 pure-play orthopedic leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma and related orthopedic surgical products.” This is the third year that Zimmer has participated in the NBC.

Health care disparities among African Americans suffering from obesity, diabetes and heart disease are additional reasons Lee doesn’t mind talking about osteoarthritis.

Pain was the stimulating factor that led Debra Lee to seek help for osteoarthritis, a degeneration of the cartilage of the joints. Lee was in Memphis during the National Baptist Convention as a spokesperson for Zimmer’s Back in the Groove Program, which addresses health care disparities among African Americans.  Above, Lee gets a bone density screening at the Zimmer booth. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

Orthopeadic surgeon Dr. James Wood presented and answered audience questions at the National Baptist Convention's  Health Breakfast.  The breakfast was hosted my Zimmer's Back in the Groove Program. (Photo by Earl Stanback)

“A lot of us feel like arthritis is a part of the aging process. It’s not. Children are born with arthritis,” said Lee, noting that Back in the Groove helps to educate African Americans and improve their quality of life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, health care disparities for African Americans receiving joint replacements have worsened. Between 2000 and 2006, knee replacement procedures increased 58 percent. African Americans, however, were 39 percent less likely to get joint replacements compared to whites.

“If you haven’t been affected, you don’t pay attention,” said Lee, 57. “Hopefully, I can empower some people to help eliminate their reservations and fears (about joint replacement).”

Lee said she cried like a baby and was called “tear drop” before undergoing major surgery. She cried as well when the orthopedic surgeon finished her surgeries.

“I get very sensitive when I talk about it because I know where I came from. I never thought I would have implants in my body,” said Lee, who loss her husband of 25 years and wondered if someone would take care of her while she recuperated.

When the pain was too excruciating, Lee sought help. She had tried over-the-counter drugs, but to no avail. The pain persisted and kept her from concentrating, focusing on tasks and retaining information.

“I crawled to work,” she said. “It was extremely painful and inhibited my thinking. I had to make a decision. I was going to stay in pain and not have the quality of life, or I was going to get some help.”

Pain was the stimulating factor. The first doctor diagnosed her condition as arthritis. Lee wanted confirmation and sought the advice of other doctors. Each diagnosis was the same.  

“I was in denial,” she said.    

Lee’s first surgery was in November 2006. She had her left hip replaced. In February 2007, surgeons replaced her right hip. Her knee was replaced on June 1 and the other one was partially replaced on July 15.    

After each surgery, Lee received physical therapy to increase mobility and to prevent her joints from stiffening. She also lost 90 pounds to prevent the onset of diabetes.

“I’m still in the healing process,” she said.    

(For more information about Zimmer’s Back in the Groove Program, visit www.backinthegroove.zimmer.com)