Essentia Health Community Paramedic To Run Fargo 5K Following Double Knee Replacement

Essentia Health community paramedic Patrick Patterson recalls running his first 5K in Hawley, Minnesota.

“I ended up falling down at the finish line and crawling across it because my knees gave out,” admits the 54-year-old, who also tripped his wife, Susan, in the process.

The experience, and the pain, prompted Patterson to follow up with Dr. Daniel Ostlie, who specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine at Essentia Health.

Patterson started with cortisone shots, but X-rays confirmed that both of his knees had bone-on-bone osteoarthritis due to damaged cartilage. In his case, the cartilage in his knees – also known as the meniscus – was almost gone.

Referred to Dr. Roxanne Keene, an orthopedic surgeon at Essentia, Patterson underwent surgery beginning with his right knee in August 2021 at Essentia Health-Fargo, which received a five-star rating for knee replacements from Healthgrades in 2022.

“Dr. Keene and her staff were so absolutely amazing,” he said. “Because of the care they provided, along with the help of my physical therapist, I ran the Fargo 5K about nine months later.”

Patterson remembers being a little hesitant about doing the race, but was surprised by the energy there and quickly forgot his nerves.

“I’m looking forward to this year after the energy that was there last time,” he said.

Patterson’s left knee was replaced in July 2022. While he continues to heal, he feels good and looks forward to running the Fargo 5K, which is part of the Essentia Health Fargo Marathon week, for the second time on Friday, May 19.

“For a long time, I couldn’t run,” said Patterson. “Running used to bore me, so to speak, until I couldn’t run or play softball anymore, and I realized I liked to be able to run around. So now when I run, I run out of gratefulness.

“It’s not the 10K or the big race, but doing the 5K is like a personal victory.”

To others considering knee surgery, Patterson has some advice.

“Do the rehab” after the procedure he said. “While it’s painful those first couple of weeks, it’s very important to long-term recovery.”

Patterson is grateful for the care he received at Essentia and having a team that listened to his concerns.

 A grandfather of two, Patterson is happy he can still keep up.

“I’m so thrilled I can run around with them, play with them and get on the floor,” he said. “When my granddaughter asks, ‘Umpa, do you want to play with me?’, I can do that.”

Practicing paramedicine for 17 years, Patterson served as community paramedic to the Fargo-Moorhead area for three years before transitioning to the Detroit Lakes area. He lives in Pelican Rapids with Susan.

Community paramedics are experienced emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with additional, specialized training in primary and preventive care. Essentia’s community paramedic program started in 2014 and is one of the most established in the nation.

Essentia Health is proud to serve as the sponsor of the 19th annual Fargo Marathon, North Dakota’s pre-eminent health-related event. Marathon activities are scheduled throughout this week.