After years of chronic knee pain that limited even simple daily activities, Jamestown native Tim Harr is back doing what he loves most — walking the prairies and hunting — thanks to a successful knee replacement at Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC).
With thousands of successful joint replacements performed by Dr. Michael T. Dean — and the addition of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Roxanne Keene earlier this year — JRMC has established itself as a regional destination for advanced orthopedic care. Patients like Tim show how local access to high-quality surgery can transform daily life.
It started around 2019, when Tim first noticed knee pain during a walk — an annoyance he believed would pass with some rest and stretching. Unfortunately, it did not. The pain worsened over the next few years, gradually affecting nearly every area of his life.
“Over time, it made everyday things hard — stairs at home, walking the mall in winter, even quick trips to Walmart,” said Tim. “It really got in the way of bird hunting.”
As a lifelong resident of Jamestown, Tim was already familiar with JRMC and with Dr. Dean’s reputation for exceptional orthopedic care. When it came time to decide where to go for help, the choice was simple.
“Friends in Jamestown had great results with Dr. Dean for knees and hips, so his name was already on my radar,” recalled Tim. “Convenience mattered too — being close to home and avoiding winter travel is huge.”
Over the years, Tim received a total of six injections to manage the pain. The first few helped, but by the last two, nothing seemed to help. X-rays revealed that his knee was bone-on-bone, meaning the protective cartilage in his joint had totally worn away, explaining the severe pain that he had been experiencing.
Seeing the condition of his joint, Tim and Dr. Dean scheduled his total knee replacement for July.
“The whole process was organized and reassuring,” Tim said. “Pat Walter answered every question during the presurgical joint class, Dr. Dean explained everything clearly before the surgery and the nurses checked on me frequently. Everyone made me feel comfortable.”
Tim’s recovery was steady and encouraging. Although there was some stiffness after surgery, the pain he had lived with for years was gone, replaced by the normal healing soreness that continued to improve each week.
“The next day after my surgery, I was up and around. I used a walker for about a week, then a cane for another week or two, but after that, I just didn’t need those anymore,” Tim said. “Now I can walk Klaus Park three or four times without any pain.”
Today, Tim is focused on this season’s recovery goal: walking the prairie and hills without knee pain.
“I have always loved the outdoors — especially hunting and fishing. Walking the prairies and hills is one of my favorite things,” Tim said. “This fall, I am going with a buddy who has a deer tag, and I’m looking forward to setting our pace with my brand-new knee!”
Tim is grateful for the independence and mobility his knee replacement has restored.
“I am 100% happy I had my knee replacement at JRMC — it has changed my daily life,” said Tim. “I waited too long; in hindsight, I should’ve done it two years earlier. I’d do it again, and I’d do it here.”