Built For a Lifetime of Adventure

For longtime Mid-Ohio Valley resident, Leroy “Butch” Hawkins, scouting is a way of life.

A dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America since he was nine years old, Leroy has spent decades in the service of his community. Throughout that time, he has been a guiding hand to countless young men—positively impacting them as they do good in their communities and become leaders among their peers. As a celebrated member and longtime advisor within the troop at the Norwood United Methodist Church of Marietta, Leroy, now 85 years “young,” contributes his continued energy and high spirits to his time with the scouts.

“It’s something that I’ve always really enjoyed,” he shares, “and it’s probably what’s kept me healthy for so long!”

From water skiing and camping to hiking and attending national Boy Scout Jamborees, Leroy has enjoyed an incredibly active life filled with adventures that have taken him all around the United States. So when he started to have issues with pain in his knee and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis about six years ago, Leroy knew that seeking quality orthopedic care was the key to keeping him doing the things he loved.

“My knee had been giving me problems for a while, but I had just been living with it,” Leroy explains. “I’d go on hikes and halfway through I’d be hurting pretty badly, so knew I needed to do something, or I’d have to quit.”

Considered “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis with an estimated 80% of individuals over the age of 55 being affected with the condition. It occurs when the protective cushioning between an individual’s joints wears down over time, ultimately causing the joints to begin rubbing bone on bone. Patients with osteoarthritis, like Leroy, experience a range of symptoms including joint pain, joint stiffness, loss of function, limited range of motion, and pain with motion. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are multiple treatment options available to patients including over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, supplements, physical therapy, and in extreme cases, surgery. Knowing that he needed expert care from a trusted group of providers, Leroy turned to John Henry, MD.

An orthopedic surgeon with First Settlement Orthopaedics (FSO) at Memorial Health System, Dr. Henry has been a staple in the community for decades and is an expert in his field. At this time, Leroy had been working in maintenance for FSO in their surgical center for several years, so he was incredibly familiar with the team. That familiarity and friendship made his decision to have Dr. Henry assume his care an incredibly easy one—Leroy not only knew that he was in exceptional hands as far as experience went but also had a steady trust in those caring for him.

“Leroy had been with us for a while when he started to experience pain,” states Dr. Henry, “and we knew how important his independence and ability to participate in scouts was to his overall health, so we wanted to get him taken care of quickly.”

When asked about the friendship that already existed between him and his care team, Leroy was all jokes and smiles as he chatted about the easy banter and teasing that goes on during his appointments. “Oh, Dr. Henry is always telling me that I must just be getting old,” laughs Leroy, “but for this, he kept warning me that I was probably going to need surgery on my knee.”

Dr. Henry started treating Leroy’s osteoarthritis with steroid injections to the affected area to help reduce pain by decreasing the inflammation in and around the joint. While this did help with the pain for a short amount of time, it eventually became apparent that his condition required a more intensive solution, and Leroy was soon scheduled for a total knee replacement.

Commonly used to relieve pain caused by arthritis-related joint damage, a total knee replacement involves replacing damaged bone and cartilage with parts made of metal and plastic, ultimately creating an artificial knee joint for the patient.

“Leroy is an active guy, and a total knee replacement was a great option for him,” shares Dr. Henry. “It’s a fairly routine procedure and the artificial joint can last for up to 15-20 years—the perfect solution for someone like Leroy who wanted to keep going out and doing what he enjoys.”

Reflecting on his time in their care, Leroy had nothing but glowing remarks. “Everyone at the clinic was so good to me, they are some of the best people I know,” Leroy shares. “They took the time to explain everything—what was gonna happen before and during surgery, and what was gonna happen afterward— something that a lot of people don’t get with their healthcare.”

After his procedure, Leroy was dedicated to physical therapy, determined to return to his active lifestyle. “I used to outwalk all my scouts,” he jokes, “but now they can keep up with me on hikes!”

Since his total knee replacement, Leroy has also seen Dr. Henry and his team for a total shoulder replacement after rupturing his rotator cuff while roughhousing with his scouts—something that he shares with a smile and a joke when recounting his recovery.

“Dr. Henry had the easy job of cutting into me,” he teases, “but I’m all good now. Can’t throw a football like I used to, but definitely good!”

Today, Leroy is back to doing what keeps him young. He never misses a Tuesday scout meeting, is always willing to lend a helping hand, and still meets up with Dr. Henry—sometimes just to catch up over donuts.

“I’m not as good as I used to be,” Leroy shares with a grin, “but I can still do the things I love!”

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