The leading goalkicker for Carlton in 1974, and then for Collingwood in 1979 and 1980, Craig Davis had a remarkable ALF playing career, which spanned 16 years, 11 seasons and four clubs. He is an AFL living legend.
However, in 1983, at the peak of his career, a 29-year-old, Davis badly injured his knee, which required a right knee reconstruction.
Post-surgery, Davis continued his AFL career, until her retired from the sport in 1989.
Over the years, however, the former full-forward continued to be plagued by ongoing, excruciating pain in his knee until in April 201 he underwent a “made-to-measure” surgical technique using individualised surgical tools to replace the knee.
Under the meticulous attention of leading Sydney orthopaedic surgeon, Associate Professor Nigel Hope, Davis had a prosthetic knee replacement surgically implanted at the Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAN).
“After taking a radiological scan of Davis’ damaged knee joint, we sent the data to a Swiss engineer who analysed it, before forwarding the ‘made-to-measure’ designs to a European production plant, which manufactured a cutting-edge, tailored surgical guide that allowed us to customise and precisely position Davis’ knee replacement.
“We created an exact replica of Davis’ current knee joint and used it to customise the surgical tools we used to replace his worn knee. The new knee will alleviate the joint pain, stiffness and limited movement that Davis was experiencing due to the wear and tear on his former knee joint,” said A/Prof Hope.
For Davis, the pain in his knee had reached a point that left him plagued with constant pain.
“In 2007, I had to stop running due to the pain, and I’ve spent the past decade in constant pain from my knee. So, I approached A/Prof Hope and his professional team to help kick-start a new life for me,” Davis said.
For Davis, osteoarthritis and the rubbing of his knee bones against each other made even the most mundane daily activities, such as getting into a car, and sleeping, extremely challenging.
“My knee osteoarthritis affects my everyday activities. I struggle to get into my car. I have to put the seat back and then move my legs into the car, and that’s annoying.
“The pain wakes me up at night if I roll over the wrong way. Even walking down stairs is difficult. I actually have to skip downstairs, and when going upstairs, I have to take one step at a time,” said Davis.
“I have beautiful children, including a four-year-old who was born when I was 58 years old. But my injured knee has prevented me from chasing him to date. In fact, I have no hope of catching him at all if he runs on the road, which could be devastating.”
According to A/Prof Hope, over time, through rigorous exercise or general use, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints starts to break down and wear away, causing the bones to rub together, creating pain, swelling and loss of motion, or osteoarthritis, which is what had happened to Davis.
“It was a difficult surgery because Craig’s knee was very worn out. The cartilage was all but gone. Davis has persevered through what I can only imagine was very extreme pain, but I do think he may have waited too long before undergoing the procedure,” A/Prof Hope said.
A/Prof Hope maintains that after Davis’ knee reconstruction in 1983, his knee gradually worsened, and reached a point at which he should have undergone a total knee arthroplasty (replacement) at least a decade ago.
“Looking at the condition of the knee joint, I’d suggest Davis needed a total arthroplasty on his knee possibly around 10 years ago. However, Craig is extremely fit, and the muscle around his knee was in great shape, which will certainly aid his recovery, despite the fact that he’s 62 years old.
“The symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary significantly from one individual to another, and even in the same person, the pain in and around the joint may vary in intensity and location,” said A/Prof Hope.
Since undergoing the knee procedure, Davis has been mounting a fast recovery.
“I’m surprised at how quickly the pain disappeared. I had the operation last Thursday morning, and by last Saturday, the pain was gone.
“Before undergoing the procedure, I was in pain 24/ 7. My old knee was bone-on-bone, and the only time I ever achieved any pain relief was when I was swimming. But now, I’m able to walk, sit down, stand and lie down with no pain at all,” Davis said.
“I’m already feeling the benefits of the procedure. I no longer have a limp, and I can lie in bed, and sleep through the night pain-free. Before, if I moved at all, I would be woken up by the pain of the bone rubbing on bone in my knee. Now, I can sleep well.”
Post- procedure, Davis maintains he now has a 50 per cent chance of catching his son, Riley, while he previously stood no chance at all.
“I think I have a 50/50 chance of catching him now, but when he zigs and zags, it doesn’t matter how stable or pain-free my leg is, he’ll be able to get around me, but I’ll definitely try to catch him.”
Given the early success of his procedure, Davis encourages anyone living with osteoarthritis in their joint knee, to speak to their doctor about the procedure.
“The procedure is amazing, because it’s replacing your knee. It’s a technique that is specifically designed for you.
“It’s a short procedure, and I’m making a miraculous recovery. I feel so much better already,” said Davis.
“I would strongly recommend this procedure to anyone considering a knee replacement.”