Knee Replacement and the Long Road to Recovery

by | Oct 2, 2013 | blog

I’d like to think my knee problems were a result of many seasons dominating on the football field, and while that definitely contributed, my real issue was the hundreds of pounds of extra pressure I placed on my knees for years.

Prior to losing the weight, I had arthroscopic surgery on my knees several times, but it wasn’t helping. My doctor informed me that knee replacement surgery was the only thing that would work, but I had to lose a lot of weight to be eligible.

Instead of using that as my wake up call, I let myself live with the pain and discomfort for years. When I arrived on The Biggest Loser Ranch my knees were so bad, I couldn’t use traditional cardio equipment like the treadmill, bike or even the elliptical.

That’s when Bob put me on the NuStep and I discovered my new best friend. A daily workout regimen on the NuStep, combined with work in the pool, provided amazing results.

After the show concluded and I had lost nearly 170 pounds, Dr. H from The Biggest Loser set me up with a surgeon in Los Angeles and I finally had my first knee replacement. A year later, almost to the day, I had my second one done.

Immediately after my first knee replacement I was using NuStep as a large part of my therapy. It was like being on the Ranch, but now in rehab mode. My usual workout on the NuStep is very intense, but in therapy, I had to use the machine differently. I had to take it easier to get my strength back and heal properly.

One day at therapy, I was speaking with a man on the NuStep next to mine. He had recently had a stroke and also loved the machine. Even though he had trouble with movement, he was able to use it with the assistance of the Leg Stabilizers and WellGrip® equipment.

That’s the great thing about the NuStep though – it does not discriminate! Whether you’re healthy and strong, in rehab, or have a disability, it’s a great workout. It got me through major weight loss and rehab and is still part of my daily exercise routine at home and my lifelong journey for health.

About O'Neal Hampton

After being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic and weighing 420 pounds, O’Neal Hampton Jr. became a contestant during the 2010 season of NBC’s "The Biggest Loser." It was then that he was introduced to NuStep. Through the O'Neal Hampton Wellness Foundation, he educates others on the value and importance of exercise and nutrition. O’Neal Hampton Jr. is a NuStep spokesperson.