Warsaw's Dr. William Parke may hold the record for the most joint replacements to alleviate the pain of arthritis.

More than 66 million people have been diagnosed with various types of arthritis. Although there are many forms of treatment available to manage progression of the disease and alleviate the pain associated with it, in addition to drugs, one of the options becoming more prevalent is joint replacement.

Because Warsaw is known as the orthopedic capital of the world, the option of joint replacement may be better known and more widely accepted in this area. With three of the world's largest orthopedic firms, Zimmer, Biomet and DePuy, headquartered in Warsaw, information on innovation and advancement in orthopedic equipment is readily available.

Parke was an early recipient of an artificial hip joint. He started noticing the symptoms of arthritis in the late 1970s, and had his first hip replacement in the early 1980s when he was in his mid-40s.

Parke has received eight hip replacements, five on the right hip and three on the left. He also received one new knee in January and the other was replaced in April this year. One shoulder was replaced about six years ago, and he's now contemplating replacing the other shoulder.

Over the 25-year-period, there have been dramatic improvements in orthopedic equipment. In the first replacements, the metal joints were cemented to the bone, and as the cement failed, the joints loosened and the metal started rubbing against the bone. Parke said the most significant enhancement was when technology changed to add the plastic compound that takes the place of the cartilage that connects the joint to the bone.

Parke said, "I would do it again in a heartbeat. It always gets better, even though recovery is painful and you still have some arthritic pain. You have to accept that it's going to hurt, then when you can't handle it any more, get it replaced."

Parke is able to do almost anything he wants to. He still fishes and hunts. He and his wife, Molly (a nurse at Lakeview Middle School), have nine daughters, ages 11 to 42, and eight grandchildren. He said, "The kids have a lot to do with keeping me going."

His advice to others is, "Don't hold back -Êit will make your life better." He also stressed the need to follow rehabilitation procedures prescribed by the surgeons and doctors following orthopedic surgery.

Parke now is retired from medical practice. He started practicing in Warsaw with long-time friend and fellow medical student Dr. Roland Snider in offices on East Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Parke and Snider were joined by Drs. Arthur Moser and David Haines. The four eventually moved to one of the first set of doctor's offices next to the new Kosciusko Community Hospital.

The public is invited to join with arthritis patients in the local area's first annual Arthritis Walk at the Winona Lake Senior Center Saturday. Registration is at 9 a.m., and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Participants may choose from a one- or three-mile course. Arthritis sufferers may be able to walk only a short distance, but that's OK. Prizes will be awarded based upon the money raised for arthritis support. Other activities include writing on the Wall of Heroes, arthritis patients wearing blue hats and free health information.

For more information on the walk, call Mindy Tinsley, KCH, 574-372-7136, or Beth Harsch, Arthritis Foundation, 574-251-1424, or visit www.arthritis.org Register online at warsawarthritiswalk.kintera.org [[In-content Ad]]