A Personal Perspective on 50 Years of Oxford Innovation
For Zimmer Biomet team member Eric Love, the Oxford Partial Knee is more than a milestone it is the procedure that helped him get back to the life he loves
Eric Love's knee pain did not begin with a single injury or moment. It was something he had managed for most of his life.
As a kid, he played tennis, basketball and golf, rarely willing to sit out a season. He often relied on over-the-counter braces to keep going. What began as a manageable ache gradually became something that affected his everyday life. By his 20s, his knee would give out without warning. Stairs, ladders and even simple daily movements became unpredictable and painful.
At 27, Eric underwent his first exploratory knee surgery. During the procedure, his surgeon discovered that his meniscus was beyond repair, and he was referred to a specialist. That referral marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey defined by hope, setbacks and persistence.
A Long Road to Relief
Between 2007 and 2013 Eric underwent nine surgeries: two meniscus transplants, a lateral release, an osteotomy and several less invasive procedures. Each one represented an effort to restore stability, reduce pain and explore every possible option before moving to a partial knee replacement.
Earlier in his treatment journey, his physician had recommended a partial knee replacement, believing it could provide the lasting relief. However, because of his age and the clinical considerations at the time, his care team pursued a series of alternative treatments first. Some brought temporary improvement, but both meniscus transplants failed within six months, and the other procedures could only do so much.
By 2013, it was clear that the Oxford Partial Knee was the right next step. When the procedure was finally approved, it became his 10th surgery and the one that made the biggest difference.
Returning to the Moments That Matter
The Oxford Partial Knee marked a turning point. As he recovered, Eric returned to the parts of life he had missed most, including golfing with his son, fishing and deer hunting. He could walk without worrying whether his knee would hold up, and that confidence brought back a sense of freedom he had not felt in years.
After such a long process, filled with starts and stops, he finally felt like himself again.
As a long tenured Zimmer Biomet team member, Eric’s connection to the company’s mission, alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for people around the world, became personal. Living with the Oxford Partial Knee gave him a firsthand understanding of what patients hope for and what families worry about.
“At our global headquarters in Warsaw, Ind., we have the statement, ‘Make as if intended for family,’ on the wall,” said Eric Love, Conventions Senior Specialist at Zimmer Biomet. “I’m thankful to my colleagues who helped make this device — from the people who developed it 50 years ago to the team members who manufactured the components for my implant in 2013. Without them, I don’t know where I would be today. It gives me an even greater connection to the work we do because I know firsthand what patients experience.”
Eric’s path was long and challenging. But the Oxford Partial Knee helped him return to the moments that matter most: the activities he loves, the time with his son and the confidence to move without hesitation. His story is a reminder that the right treatment can help people get back to living the life they love.
Results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all recipient patients. Talk to your surgeon about the risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant wear, loosening or failure, and pain, swelling and infection, and whether the Oxford Partial Knee is right for you. To read a complete list of risks and other relevant information about the Oxford Partial Knee, please visit: https://www.pickleballknee.com.
