Adaptive Athlete Posie: Living Pain-Free and Active After Knee Replacement

At 76 years old, Posie embodies resilience and determination. Over a decade ago, after repeated sports-related injuries and surgeries, she lost her left leg to amputation following an infection. Despite this life-changing setback, she refused to let it keep her from the activities she loves most.

For the past 13 years, Posie has waterskied and downhill skied using only her right leg—without the use of a specialized prosthetic. “I only have one leg to work with, so I depend on it completely,” she explained.

But years of relying solely on one leg eventually caught up with her, leaving her right knee in pain and limiting her mobility. “I was terrified,” Posie recalled. “I depended on that knee.”

She turned to Dr. Steven Mattheos, MD, Sports Medicine Surgeon at Sports Medicine North (SMN), who immediately understood her unique athletic background and adaptive sports journey. “Dr. Mattheos is an athlete himself. He was kind, and I put all my trust in him.”

“My goal is always to get patients back to a high quality of life,” Dr. Mattheos said. “With Posie, relieving pain was important, but restoring mobility was just as crucial to her long-term success.”

In April 2025, Posie underwent a right total knee replacement with Dr. Mattheos. The recovery was intense, but she never stopped working. “This was only the beginning,” she said. “I had to work incredibly hard in PT, the gym, and Pilates. I never gave up.”

Her determination paid off. At her follow-up appointment on July 14, she was already well on her way. Just two days later—only three months after surgery—Posie was back waterskiing.

“I couldn’t be happier. I no longer have any pain,” she said. “I want to share my story so people in their 60s and 70s know that they can do anything if they commit to the rehab process.”

Today, she bikes six miles a week, continues to waterski, and is already planning a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, in December for a week of adaptive skiing. Thanks to her determination, positivity, and the care she received from Dr. Mattheos and SMN, Posie is back to thriving with energy and no limitations.