Mrs. Claus is Back on Her Feet After Double Knee Replacement

Helen Vopasek loves the holiday season. In fact, in her hometown of Little Neck, New Jersey, she’s known as the first lady of Christmas, Mrs. Claus. But last year, as she was helping Santa (her husband, Frank), every festive task, from checking his list twice to wrapping presents, caused severe knee pain. 

Not about to let her knee pain sideline her from her favorite activities, Helen went to her doctor. X-rays revealed she had advanced osteoarthritis. The protective cartilage around the bones in both her knees had worn away, causing the bones to rub against each other. She would need two knee replacements.

The choice of where to turn for help was easy. The Vopasek family has deep roots with Hackensack Meridian Health. "We've always trusted Hackensack Meridian Health," Helen said. "It was a no-brainer that I would turn to them for my knees."

Minimally Invasive Procedure Saves Helen Time

Helen met with Ari Seidenstein, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center, who developed the perfect pre-holiday plan: two partial robotic knee replacements. The first was scheduled for February 2024, the second for July 2025. This ensured Mrs. Claus would be fully mobile for the festive season.

The surgeries were done using a robotic minimally invasive approach. During the procedure, surgeons use a robotic arm for better control and precision. Robotic knee replacements are performed through smaller incisions, resulting in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster recovery. 

Helen's knee replacements were done at the state-of-the-art Helena Theurer Pavilion at Hackensack University Medical Center. "I can't say enough amazing things about the entire team, their care, their dedication and the beauty of the facility itself," she praised.

You Don’t Have to Live With Knee Pain

Knee replacements are one of the most successful and common procedures in medicine. In the United States, approximately one million knee replacements are performed each year. While hundreds of thousands of people undergo the procedure, Dr. Seidenstein says many people put off the procedure.

“With today's advanced options, we can offer personalized solutions that are more precise and allow for a quicker return to an active life,” Dr. Seidenstein says. “ My message is simple: don't let pain dictate your life. There is no reason to wait and miss out on the activities you love when we have the tools to help you get back to them." 

Ready to Celebrate Christmas

Helen says her Hackensack Meridian Health physical therapy team was dedicated to preparing Mrs. Claus and her knees to embody the spirit of Christmas this year. She admits that her recovery took effort, but says the results were magical. "I couldn't believe the difference in getting around," she says.

For Frank and Helen, both in their 70s, playing Santa and Mrs. Claus is more than a hobby. Frank first donned the red suit 40 years ago through his fire department, and Helen joined him as Mrs. Claus 20 years ago. 

Both are professionally trained graduates of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School and teach classes on how to be a Santa in a healthcare setting. This role requires special training for interacting with children with special needs, terminally ill patients and their families.

With dozens of costumes and a year-round schedule of events, they bring joy to all 18 hospitals in the Hackensack Meridian Health network, as well as to countless community functions.

It’s a job that Helen says she can keep doing thanks to her knee replacements. Looking at the X-rays of her new knees, Helen was stunned. "I didn't realize that they were mine. They were so perfect looking,” she says.

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our expert: Ari Seidenstein, M.D.
• Make an appointment with Dr. Seidenstein or an orthopedic surgeon near you, or call 800-822-8905.
• Visit our orthopedics page for more information.

The material provided through Healthier You is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.