Same-Day Knee Replacement Relieves Rich Sniscak's Constant Knee Pain

Rich Sniscak knew a knee replacement was inevitable. His pain was constant and his joint was “bone-on-bone” with no padding in between.

Still, he was apprehensive. Would the risk be worth the reward? What would the recovery be like?

Today, he is pain free and back to his everyday activities following a fast and easy recovery thanks to his same-day knee replacement surgery at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute.

“My operation was at 7 a.m.,” says Sniscak, a retired superintendent of the Parkland School District. “I woke up at 8:15 a.m., walked out on a walker at 11 a.m., and had lunch at home.”

Same-day knee replacement surgery at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute is an innovative approach to one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. today – avoiding a hospital stay, minimizing pain and helping patients recover quickly.

“As soon as I woke up from the surgery, I knew my pain would be gone,” Sniscak says. “I knew I had relief.”

Orthopedic surgeon Thomas Meade, MD, has done thousands of same-day knee replacements since 2010. He was one of the early adopters of a technique called kinematic total knee resurfacing, which reduces the amount of bone that is removed and better preserves the natural alignment of the knee.

“Patients have faster, earlier recovery, greater range of motion and more natural alignment of their knee,” Dr. Meade says. “Our average patient is discharged after two or three hours and does not need traditional physical therapy.”

Sniscak’s knee trouble started when he played outside linebacker on the football team of The Citadel, the military college in South Carolina. He first met his future knee replacement surgeon when Sniscak was head football coach at Parkland while Dr. Meade served on the sideline as the team’s orthopedic surgeon.

Now, at age 62, Sniscak’s knee joint deterioration meant he could walk only short distances. He could not be on his feet for very long and he had pain day and night. “It kept me from my normal activities, and I really wanted the pain to stop,” he recalls.

After his robot-assisted same-day knee surgery, Sniscak was surprised at the low amount of pain he had. His quick recovery was another pleasant surprise. “From day one, I used a walker to get around my house and was able to get up and down the stairs,” he says.

“Having that kind of mobility right from the outset really helped with my recovery process, I think.” He did so well that he did not need physical therapy.

Just a few months after his January 2025 surgery, Sniscak’s regular walking and other everyday activities were fully restored, and his pain is gone.

“Success for any surgery,” says Dr. Meade, “requires a symphony of many team players and patient commitment. No one person including the surgeon is responsible for a positive outcome.

“Like a plane taking off, everybody has to cooperate, double check all safety protocols to ensure a safe flight and more importantly, a safe landing and a great outcome.”

By all measures, Sniscak had a great “flight.”

“I had a progressive surgeon who is among the leaders in his field,” Sniscak says of Dr. Meade. “He used the latest robotic technology, which meant less swelling and pain.

“For me, this whole experience was a godsend,” Sniscak says. “I really was amazed and more than pleased with how well it all went.”