When and how did your knee problems occur?
It had already started in the seventies and I underwent an arthroscopy where they shaved the meniscus. Later, when I was in my thirties and played bandy, I fell and another player landed on my leg which was bent backwards. It was probably after that the problems increased.
What interventions did you undergo before you got the Episealer?
After the surgery performed in the seventies, a couple of additional arthroscopies were done in the nineties, where loose cartilage was removed and a microfracture was done. Later, in the 21st century, another microfracture was done, so in total, there were four surgeries.
Were any other treatment options discussed as alternatives to the Episealer?
No, they concluded that additional arthroscopic interventions would not be of any value, and my knee pain was not severe enough to justify a knee prosthesis, even though I found my problems plaguing.
You were the very first patient to receive an Episealer, what made you decide to accept that alternative?
My doctor, Nicolas Martinez-Carranza, suggested the new Episealer technology. I consulted a friend who, at the time, worked as a physiotherapist at one of the major sports medicine clinics in Sweden. We discussed the offer, and he thought it sounded like an interesting alternative. I felt that there was nothing to lose as my knee problems stopped me from living the life I wanted to live.
How would you describe your life before you received the Episealer implant?
I have always been exercising and running, but almost fifteen years ago, my knee problems became so severe that I could not run anymore, and other kinds of exercise caused severe pain as well. When I was in the mountains during the winter of 2012, six months before the Episealer surgery, I had to start taking painkillers to be able to ski. I felt that this was not acceptable, I could not continue like this. Not being able to exercise and live a physically active life is not a life for me. I want to be able to exercise, work with the house and have a physically active everyday life.
How would you describe the rehabilitation and recovery after the surgery?
The physiotherapy started just a few weeks after the surgery. Initially, it was mainly aqua aerobics. After about half a year, I was able to bicycle and play golf. A year after the surgery, my wife and I went on vacation to Niseko, Japan. For the first time in many years, I was finally able to go skiing as I wanted, off-piste and everything.
How would you describe your life today?
My knee does not limit me anymore; I can do everything I want to do. Our family often goes skiing together, downhill as well as cross country, and I can so far keep up with my children who are in their thirties. I do not have to be ashamed of slowing them down. During the summer, it is a lot of golf for me; some days up to 36 holes and my knee no longer restricts me. Right now, I am looking forward to participating in the Vasaloppet ski race, a Swedish 90 km cross-country skiing competition, which takes place in two weeks. It will be the first time since the surgery. Today I feel good, and I live the life I want to live!
Two weeks after the interview, Göran completed the Vasaloppet Open Track in just above seven hours.
The following year he participated in the official race. He made it in almost the same time but in a snowstorm, marking this year’s event as one of the toughest weather conditions in the history of the race.