Also known to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans as Al Snow, he has been a professional wrestler for 41 years. His career has taken him across states and continents, entertaining millions and winning championship titles, all the while taking an extreme toll on his body.

“I’ve fractured my neck twice; broken ribs and fingers; dislocated my right shoulder, separated my left; broke my elbow; broke my ankle; cracked my tailbone; dislocated my hip; tore my groin,” Al said. “I think I’m up to 14 times I’ve broken my nose. And I could go on.”

He began noticing his body was worn out and exhausted from compensating for the pain he was having in his knees in particular.

“I remember getting home from a simple 15-minute walk through the grocery store, putting the bags on the counter and going to sit on the couch because I was exhausted,” Al said.

His knees were, in his own words, completely destroyed. They were bone on bone, no cartilage left, and he could feel bone spurs that he describes as “gravel” under the skin.

“For most people, the need for knee replacement is due to osteoarthritis, which is more of a wear-and tear arthritis,” said Jeffrey D. Stimac, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, Norton Orthopedic Institute. “Some people can have more inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus arthritis, where it’s actually their immune system causing part of the problem. And then, in other situations, it’s injuries. In Al’s case, it was probably years and years of knee injuries during his wrestling career.”

By 2020, knee replacement surgery was in Al’s near future — and he had an unusual request. He wanted both knees replaced at the same time.

“This isn’t routine or normal,” Dr. Stimac said. “However, Al is not a normal patient.”

Dr. Stimac explained there are a few potential complications from having both knees replaced at the same time.

Al was well aware of these concerns, but he knew if he got one knee replaced and then was expected to take time to recover from a second surgery, he would struggle to find the time. Plus, with his self-discipline as an athlete and the encouragement of his wife, family and colleagues, he knew he could work through the rehabilitation process successfully.

In October 2020, Al had his surgery at Norton Brownsboro Hospital. Dr. Stimac and his colleague, Kevin J. Himschoot, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, Norton Orthopedic Institute, scrubbed in for the two-hour surgery. Later that day, Al, with his wife by his side, started his first of several physical therapy sessions.

Al went home the following day, common for knee replacement surgeries, and got into the routine of going to physical therapy a few times a week for two weeks. He quickly realized most of the therapy exercises he could manage on his own, so he continued to push himself at home.

Al’s recovery wasn’t the norm, but then again this WWE superstar is an exception to most rules. According to Dr. Stimac, most people recovering from knee replacement surgery go through three months of physical therapy to be doing well, and full recovery can take up to a year.

“Al was such an active guy who still wrestled and still lifted weights daily — he was very fit coming into the surgery,” Dr. Stimac said. “I think that helped make his recovery much easier.”

And how is he now, three years after his double knee replacement?

“Knees are fantastic. Quite honestly, getting my knees replaced is probably the best thing I’ve ever done,” Al said. “The only regret I have is that I waited so long to finally make the decision to just go do it.”

While he isn’t doing suplexes or jumping from the top rope as much anymore, the former Hardcore Champion still finds himself in the wrestling ring as the co-owner and CEO of Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky.

Al reminisced about the first time he entered the ring during a show after his knee replacements.

“As part of the show I ran into the ring and I amazed myself as I took off. I was like, ‘Holy cow. I was able to actually run into the ring!’ In the not-so-distant past, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get up off the mat. But I did it without missing a beat. It was a showstopping moment for me.”

Al is thankful for his surgeons, Dr. Stimac and Dr. Himschoot.

“I cannot express my gratitude and my appreciation for basically giving me a whole new lease on life by replacing my knees,” Al said.

And to anyone considering knee replacement, or any big health decision for that matter, Al has some professional advice:

“If there’s anybody who is facing the replacement of their knees or hips, or facing any kind of choice where they need to make a decision, where they’ve been living a very challenging life because of whatever health issue is restricting them, go do it. Don’t hesitate. Without a question or a doubt, it is worth every bit of what you will go through to get to the other side. I tell people all the time, honestly, that this is probably one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.”

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The lower leg, especially with multiple bones affected, can take longer to heal because there isn’t as much soft tissue and blood supply near the injury to help speed healing, according to Kevin Himschoot, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Norton Orthopedic Institute – Brownsboro.

“With multiple bones involved and especially a comminuted open fracture — meaning bone had pierced the skin and fragmented — the recovery process can be lengthy. Any nerve damage can complicate the time it takes to recover,” Dr. Himschoot said.

Open fractures can create extensive damage to muscles, tendons, nerves, veins and arteries around the bone. The number of bone fragments and their size also can add to the severity of an open fracture.

With bone protruding through the skin, the risk of infection to the bone as well as soft tissue is very high. Bone infections can require multiple follow-up surgeries as well as long-term antibiotics.

Recovering from an open fracture requires physical therapy during and after the healing process. Specific exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist can help restore muscle strength, joint motion and flexibility.

Tiger’s injuries were stabilized with screws and pins during emergency surgery. Injuries to the leg’s muscle and other soft tissue required surgeons to release the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure, according to a statement from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles County, California, where Woods was treated.

Both upper and lower portions of the right tibia and fibula had open fractures with fragmentation, according to the hospital. A rod was inserted into the tibia to stabilize it and screws and pins were used to stabilize injuries to foot and ankle bones.

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It’s “one of the things that made us fall in love with this city,” Dr. Kure said, referring to himself and his fiancée. “I hope to help more of them enjoy that lifestyle for as long as possible.”

Dr. Kure is an orthopedic surgeon with Norton Orthopedic Institute, providing trauma care, joint replacements and other treatments that help keep his patients moving.

Dr. Kure uses an advancement in joint replacement that has become a growing trend in total hip arthroplasty. This less invasive approach allows patients to start recovering faster.

Traditionally, hip replacement surgery involved a large incision on the rear or side to access the diseased bone. Recovery was long and involved at least a couple nights in the hospital. A less invasive approach through the front uses a smaller incision, and even some patients can potentially go home the same day.

“People can walk out of the hospital the same day with limited pain and restrictions; we’re getting them back on their feet much faster,” Dr. Kure said.

Less invasive procedures with shorter recoveries make joint replacements a more attractive solution for patients, including those who enjoy sports and the outdoors.

According to Dr. Kure, the key is not only using the most cutting-edge technique, but ensuring that the surgeon and patient work together as a team.

“Setting patient expectations plays a significant role in what I do,” he said. “You have the best surgical outcome when the team inside and outside the hospital is all working together, and the patient is motivated to get back and do whatever it takes to get there.”

A childhood dream to be a surgeon

Growing up in Grand Blanc, Michigan, Dr. Kure envisioned a career as a surgeon.

“Growing up in medical family, I was exposed to medicine from a very young age, and I honestly always knew that I wanted to do surgery.”

The decision to specialize in orthopedic surgery came early too. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Dr. Kure understands the desire to keep moving.

“I bike, golf and participate in water sports,” he said. “I try to be active in all seasons, so I know I would be frustrated if an injury held me back.”

Inspired by the notion of helping others live life fully, he graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing and entered the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University in Iowa, focused on becoming an orthopedic surgeon. He came to Louisville for an orthopedic surgery fellowship at the University of Louisville after completing his residency in his home state of Michigan.

“The fellowship was a great opportunity to see a lot of Level I trauma,” Dr. Kure said. “It allowed me to gain great experience with traumatic injuries.”

Strong patient-doctor relationships are at the heart of Dr. Kure’s approach to medicine.

“One thing that is fascinating about orthopedic surgery is that you get to work with such different groups of people,” Dr. Kure said. “You work with the healthy and the unhealthy; young and old; active and inactive patients.”

Dr. Kure divides his time between general orthopedic patients and those with traumatic injuries.  No matter who the patient is, Dr. Kure’s goal is always the same.

“It’s about getting people back to a better quality of life, increasing their mobility and giving them the opportunity to do things they previously enjoyed,” he said.

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Norton Healthcare and LHC Group Inc. announced recently the formation of a joint venture partnership – creating Norton Home Health – to enhance in-home health care services for patients in Louisville and across the region. The two organizations will collaborate to help patients manage their chronic conditions, seamlessly transition from hospital care, and rest and recover in an environment where they are most comfortable.

“We are pleased to partner with LHC Group to enhance the home health services we provide for our patients,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “Through Norton Home Health, patients will receive care to regain strength and independence following an injury or illness, or when dealing with a chronic condition or disabling disease. They will also benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to treatment that is monitored through their integrated electronic medical record, stay connected to their health record and communicate with their provider through MyNortonChart.”

In-home care supports faster recovery and patient independence.

“It’s a benefit for our patients to receive healthcare in their own environment as they work to regain strength and independence,” said Kathleen Exline, system vice president, Performance Excellence and Care Continuum, Norton Healthcare. “Our providers, including home health nurses, therapists and social workers, will offer valuable guidance and support, and provide the educational tools and resources patients and families need to make informed decisions on care for themselves or a loved one.”

Home health care is an effective and affordable solution for many patients’ post-acute care needs and situations. This partnership will help patients manage health care costs and hospital admission rates. It will provide a full range of home care, and patients can trust that the treatment plans their doctors prescribe will be followed thoroughly.

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